Ghana Accepts West African Deportees from US in “Act of Pan-African Empathy” – Foreign Minister

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has defended the government’s decision to accept West African nationals deported from the United States, describing it as a humanitarian gesture rooted in Pan-African solidarity.

Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Monday, Minister Ablakwa revealed that President John Dramani Mahama had confirmed Ghana’s acceptance of non-Ghanaian West African deportees during his first media engagement in September 2025.

“The President disclosed that the first batch of deportees numbering 14 people, had already arrived in Accra. Among them were nationals of Nigeria and the Gambia who have been assisted to return to their respective countries,” Ablakwa stated.

The Foreign Minister explained that the US government had approached Ghana with the request, and the Mahama administration agreed “provided they were nationals of West African countries.”

Ablakwa emphasized that the decision was driven by humanitarian concerns, noting that “many of these individuals were being held in detention, which was both psychologically and physically distressing. They were also faced with the risk of being deported to countries that are not safe and do not have the stability and human rights credentials Ghana is famed for.”

He referenced the legal backdrop, stating: “You need to note that President Trump has secured a positive verdict from the US Supreme Court that he could go ahead and remove these nationals and dump them anywhere.”

The Minister assured Ghanaians that strict security measures have been implemented, declaring: “Under this understanding with the United States, Ghana must first independently vet the background of those the US intends to deport to first satisfy ourselves that they do not pose any threat to the security of our country and that they cannot harm our citizens.”

He added: “We have put in place strict safeguards to ensure that convicted hardened criminals cannot be brought into our country under this understanding, the Mahama administration would never compromise the safety and well being of Ghanaians.”

Ablakwa clarified the legal status of the arrangement, explaining: “This understanding with the US has been thoroughly discussed by cabinet and has also received the Attorney General’s advice by established convention. MOUs are not sent to parliament for ratification.”

However, he assured that “if this initial understanding is elevated into a full blown agreement, we shall not hesitate to comply with article 75 of the 1992 Constitution by proceeding to parliament for ratification.”

The Foreign Minister was emphatic that Ghana’s decision was not transactional: “It is important to stress and to state unequivocally that Ghana has not received and does not seek any financial compensation or material benefit in relation to this understanding, our decision is grounded purely on humanitarian principle and Pan African solidarity.”

Drawing on Ghana’s historical role, Ablakwa stated: “Ghana’s decision must be understood as an act of Pan African empathy. It is not transactional, like Rwanda, Eswatini, Uganda, South Sudan, who are welcoming fellow Africans. We are standing up for our brothers and sisters in distress.”

He emphasized Ghana’s Pan-African credentials: “Since the days of our forebears, Ghana has hosted freedom fighters, welcomed all Africans in the diaspora, offered them safe haven resources, citizenship and even our passports.”