- President Mahama confirmed Ghana’s agreement to receive West African deportees from the U.S.
- 14 deportees have already arrived, including Nigerians and one Gambian.
- Ghana’s ECOWAS obligations allow visa-free entry and 90-day stays for West African nationals.
- The Trump administration is ramping up deportations, including to African countries.
- Mahama did not specify how many deportees Ghana will accept.
- Concerns persist over migrant safety and the ethics of third-country deportations.
President John Dramani Mahama has confirmed Ghana’s commitment to receiving West African nationals deported from the United States, as part of a broader immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump’s administration. Speaking during his first press engagement since returning to power, Mahama emphasized that Ghana’s obligations under ECOWAS protocols make it impossible to reject fellow West Africans seeking temporary refuge.
So far, 14 deportees — including Nigerians and one Gambian — have arrived in Ghana, with the government facilitating their onward return to their home countries. The move aligns with ECOWAS travel agreements, which allow citizens of member states to enter Ghana without visas and remain for up to 90 days.
While Mahama did not disclose how many deportees Ghana will ultimately receive, his remarks suggest a willingness to cooperate with U.S. authorities on third-country repatriations. The Trump administration has intensified deportation efforts, targeting undocumented migrants through nationwide raids and high-profile removals — many of which have focused on Latin America, but increasingly include African nationals.
The policy has sparked concern among human rights groups, with some migrants expressing fear for their safety upon return. Ghana’s role as a transit country for non-Ghanaian deportees adds a layer of complexity to the diplomatic and humanitarian calculus.
Mahama’s comments come amid broader conversations about regional solidarity, immigration ethics, and Ghana’s place in global migration politics. His administration now faces the challenge of balancing international cooperation with domestic capacity and public sentiment.
