Ghana has begun receiving West African migrants deported from the United States, including Nigerians, even as Abuja insists it will not accept such arrangements.
President John Dramani Mahama confirmed on Wednesday that a first batch of 14 returnees had arrived in Accra under a new understanding with Washington. The group comprised mostly Nigerians, alongside a Gambian and other nationals. Ghanaian officials are now facilitating their return to their home countries.
Mahama explained that Accra agreed to the deal because citizens of West African states can legally enter Ghana without visas. “We were approached by the U.S. 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,” he said.
The development comes against the backdrop of intensified deportation drives in the United States under President Donald Trump. His administration has pursued deals with African states to take in deportees, including those without direct ties to the receiving country. Human rights groups have repeatedly criticised the practice, warning of safety and legal concerns.
Similar transfers have previously been carried out to Eswatini, South Sudan and Rwanda, despite protests from international organisations.
Nigeria, however, has rejected overtures from Washington to accept deportees who are not its citizens. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, stated in July that Abuja would not enter into any agreement of that nature, citing both national security and economic considerations.
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“The Federal Government will not accept deportees from outside Nigeria,” Tuggar said, stressing that such arrangements could strain the country’s already fragile economy.
The U.S. has been lobbying several African governments to support its deportation policy. In July, Trump hosted five West African leaders at the White House — from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal — with discussions reportedly centred on persuading them to accept non-nationals removed from the United States.
With Ghana now cooperating, attention is turning to whether other West African states will follow suit, or if Nigeria’s firm stance will shape regional responses to Washington’s controversial immigration agenda.
