US Deportations: Mahama Confirms Ghana Receiving West Africans Deported by Trump Administration
- Ghana has been receiving West African deportees from the US amid the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration
- The US has similar deportation agreements with African countries like Rwanda, Eswatini and South Sudan
- President John Mahama gave details on this arrangement during his meeting with the press on September 10, 2025
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President John Mahama has confirmed that Ghana is receiving people deported from the US as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration.
During an engagement with the press on September 10, Mahama said there was a bilateral agreement with the US in place allowing for nationals from various West African countries to be sent to Ghana.
Source: Facebook
The president, in his address, noted that 14 deportees had already arrived in the country.
Mahama justified this, noting Ecowas's free movement protocol that allows citizens of member states to enter and reside in other West African countries without a visa for at least 90 days.
The BBC reported that the US has similar agreements with Rwanda, Eswatini and South Sudan, among others.
Mahama said the 14 people already deported to Ghana include several Nigerians and a Gambian.
"We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US. And we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable."
In comments to YEN.com.gh, Ernesto Yeboah, the leader of the Economic Fighters League, called the move to accept West African deportees from the US commendable.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring their sustained welcome.
"Too often deportees are dumped without support, left to survive on their own. Ghana accepting ECOWAS nationals should come with serious reintegration plans such as housing, jobs, counselling, and respect for dignity. Otherwise, it risks becoming another form of displacement."
Mahama's comment on relations with the US
Mahama described Ghana-US relations as tight and noted tariffs on Ghanaian goods and visa restrictions on its nationals.
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He, for example, noted that the African Growth and Opportunity Act was technically dead after the US imposed fresh tariffs on African exports, including a 15% levy on Ghana’s goods.
“Countries like Africa enjoyed zero tariffs in the US because we were in the developing world. It was a concession that the US gave. In comes President Trump. He has a more transactional mindset."
AGOA started in 2000, granting duty-free access to the American market for over 1,800 products, alongside more than 5,000 products under the Generalised System of Preferences programme.
Are Ghanaians being deported from the US?
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, earlier in 2025, said there had been 160 Ghanaians expected to be deported.
Ablakwa said the government was reintegrating Ghanaians who had been brought back home.
Source: Facebook
Speaking to the press on April 17, the minister said some 160 Ghanaians were still set to be deported.
Ablakwa revealed that some deportees have been arriving but being kept under the radar.
“We are decided on humanitarian and human rights grounds not to publicise the deportation so when they arrive, our team welcomes them, we help them with integration and return to their families.”
US Embassy in Ghana serves visa warning
YEN.com.gh reported that the US Embassy in Ghana warned visa holders that violating US laws could result in visa revocations and deportations.
The warning is considered a preemptive caution to travellers who may underestimate the strict enforcement of US immigration laws.
The embassy previously warned that there would be consequences for persons who flout their laws in an attempt to travel to the US.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
