Ghana To Receive 40 Additional West African Deportees From US
- Ghana is preparing to receive 40 more West African deportees from the US, according to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
- The move follows Ghana's commitment to Pan-African solidarity, as the only West African country approached by the US for this initiative
- President Mahama confirmed the arrival of 14 deportees as part of a broader policy under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown
The Government of Ghana is preparing to receive 40 more West African deportees from the United States in the coming days.
This was disclosed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Source: Facebook
Speaking on the Point of View show on Channel One TV on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the Foreign Affairs Minister explained that Ghana's decision to host the deportees was solely based on humanitarian grounds.
"We are the only country in West Africa, so far approached by the Americans, and we thought, look, West Africans already, under the ECOWAS protocol, can visit any country visa-free and stay for 90 days. So, on principle, on humanitarian grounds and Pan-African solidarity, let's accept our fellow West Africans, and let's make the point that Ghana is your home," he said.
Responding to questions on how long Ghana would host them, Okudzeto Ablakwa said that the choice to stay in the country temporarily or permanently is in the hands of the US deportees.
He, however, stated that all of them have indicated that they would want to return to their home countries after some time.
Watch the video below:
President Mahama confirms the arrival of US deportees
The first time the issue of the West African deportees came up was during President Mahama's first Meet the Press encounter.
During the press engagement held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, President Mahama confirmed that Ghana had accepted 14 West Africans deported from the US as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration.
"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," he said.
Ghana commended for accepting US deportees
Meanwhile, the leader of the Economic Fighters League, Ernesto Yeboah, has commended Ghana for accepting the West African deportees from the US.
Speaking to YEN.com.gh, he also stressed the importance of ensuring their sustained welcome.
"Too often, deportees are dumped without support and 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," he said.
Source: UGC
Ghanaians bid farewell to undocumented migrants
In a related development, YEN.com.gh reported that some undocumented migrants were rounded up by the Ghana Immigration Service in Accra.
A video, which has since gone viral, showed the moment both Ghanaians and the undocumented migrants bid their heartfelt goodbyes.
The Ghana Immigration Service, at a press conference, indicated that the detained undocumented migrants were going to be deported.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
