Ghana to Accept West African Deportees from the US Under New Agreement

Tue Sep 23 2025 14:09:06 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a recent bilateral agreement with the United States, Ghana has committed to welcome deportees from various West African states, marking a significant step in regional migration management.

Ghana has agreed to accept deportees from the United States, following a deal that includes nationals from different West African countries. President John Mahama confirmed that 14 individuals have already arrived, highlighting the ECOWAS free movement protocol. This agreement marks Ghana as one of the latest nations to collaborate with the US on immigration control amid ongoing debates about deportation practices and human rights.

Ghana has become the latest country to accept individuals deported from the United States as part of a broader campaign against undocumented migrants.

President John Mahama announced that nationals from various West African nations would be welcomed in Ghana under a bilateral agreement with the US, with 14 individuals already having arrived.

Mahama cited the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) free movement protocol, which allows citizens of member states to enter and reside in other ECOWAS countries visa-free.

This decision follows recent deportations by the US, which have included individuals sent to Rwanda, Eswatini, and South Sudan. The recently arrived deportees in Ghana include several Nigerians and a Gambian, with plans to facilitate their return to their respective countries.

We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US, Mahama explained. All our fellow West African nationals don't need visas to come to our country, he added, noting the support for their reintegration.

While Ghana's acceptance of these deportees reflects a regional approach to managing migration, it also highlights ongoing tensions between the US and various African nations regarding deportation policies. Some countries, such as Nigeria, have resisted pressure to accept deportees, citing concerns over human rights and national capacity.