Ghana has begun accepting West African nationals deported from the United States, including Nigerians, under a new arrangement brokered with Washington, President John Dramani Mahama confirmed on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, Mahama disclosed that the first batch of 14 deportees — comprising Nigerians, a Gambian and other nationals had already landed in Accra, with Ghanaian authorities overseeing their onward return to their home countries.
“We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed, and we agreed that West African nationals were acceptable because all our fellow West Africans don’t need a visa to come to our country,” Mahama said.
He added that the decision was consistent with ECOWAS’ free movement policy, stressing that West Africans “don’t need a visa anyway” to enter Ghana.
The move comes amid Washington’s intensified deportation drive under President Donald Trump, who has doubled down on “third country” removals as part of his hardline immigration policy.
Trump has previously ordered deportations to Eswatini, South Sudan and Rwanda despite safety concerns flagged by rights groups.
Nigeria, however, has refused to strike a similar deal. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar said in July that Abuja would not accept deportees from outside Nigeria, citing national security and economic considerations.
On July 9, Trump hosted five West African leaders at the White House, including those of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal, in a bid to persuade them to accommodate deportees from other countries
