Ghana has become the latest country to accept individuals deported from the US as part of its strategies to handle undocumented immigrants. This development comes following discussions with the US, marking a significant step in Ghana's immigration policy.
President John Mahama announced that West African nationals would now be accepted, with the initial group comprising 14 individuals, including several Nigerians and a Gambian. He noted that the free movement protocol established by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) allows citizens from member countries to travel without visas.
The deportees, already in Ghana, are part of a broader initiative by the US administration to deter illegal immigration by sending migrants back to their countries of origin, with previous deportees sent to other African nations such as Rwanda and Eswatini.
President Mahama specified that of the 14 deported individuals, several were Nigerians who had already been assisted in returning to Nigeria by bus, while arrangements for the Gambian deportee were still underway. He stated, We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals removed from the US, to which we agreed, recognizing that West African nationals don't require visas to come to our country.
Despite the cooperation, Mahama addressed challenges in Ghana-US relations, including US tariffs on Ghanaian goods and visa restrictions for Ghanaians seeking travel to the US, while maintaining a positive outlook on bilateral ties. The Trump administration’s approach to deportation has faced criticism from rights groups, labeling it as a violation of human rights.
While Ghana has accepted this arrangement, countries like Nigeria have expressed strong opposition to being pressure to take deportees from the US. This development illustrates ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policies and the varying responses from African nations.
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