Ghana steps in on U.S. deportations
Ghana’s President, John Mahama, has confirmed that his country is accepting deported West African nationals, including Nigerians, from the United States — part of a new deal struck with Washington.
The first group of 14 deportees has already landed in Accra, including individuals from Nigeria, Gambia, and other West African nations.
Buses arranged to return Nigerians home
President Mahama told the BBC that Ghana had arranged transportation for the Nigerians to return home, while efforts are ongoing to help the Gambian national repatriate safely.
“We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals… and we agreed West African nationals were acceptable,” Mahama said.
He added that the decision aligns with the ECOWAS free movement protocol, which allows visa-free travel between West African countries.
Tense ties with the U.S., but cooperation continues
While Mahama acknowledged trade and visa policy tensions with the U.S., he said Ghana still maintains a “positive” relationship overall.
This move aligns with a broader Trump-era deportation push, which has recently seen deportees sent to Rwanda, Eswatini, and South Sudan under so-called “third country” transfer deals.
Not everyone’s on board
Not all African nations are willing to play along. Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, stated back in July that Nigeria would not accept third-country deportees, citing economic burdens and security risks.
Human rights concerns grow
The policy has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, who argue that relocating deported individuals to unfamiliar or unstable countries puts them at even greater risk.
“It undermines migrants’ rights and places them in extremely precarious situations,” one rights advocate warned.
