Ghana receives 14 West Africans deported from the US

The first batch of deportees arrived in Accra this week under a new arrangement with the United States.

President John Dramani Mahama has confirmed that Ghana has received 14 West African nationals deported from the United States. The deportees, who arrived in Accra recently, included mostly Nigerians and one Gambian national.

Speaking at the Presidential Media Encounter at Jubilee House on Wednesday, September 10, the President explained that Ghana’s acceptance of the 14 West Africans deported from the US was in line with ECOWAS protocols on free movement.

“We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US, and then we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable, because all our fellow West Africans don’t need a visa to come to our country,” President Mahama said.

According to him, the Nigerians among the deportees have already been sent back to Nigeria by bus, at their own request. The Gambian national, however, is still in Ghana as the government coordinates with the Gambian Embassy to secure his repatriation.

President Mahama stressed that Ghana’s decision was grounded in its responsibilities under ECOWAS agreements and the principle of regional solidarity.

“West Africa has the protocol of free movement, and so any West African is free to come to Ghana and be able to stay for 90 days. And so if they are bringing our colleagues back, we don’t have a problem accepting them,” he emphasized.

By accepting the 14 deportees, Ghana demonstrated its commitment to international cooperation while safeguarding the rights of fellow West Africans.

The President added that the government would continue to engage with both the United States and ECOWAS partners to ensure humane and transparent processes for future cases.