iDeemlawfulThe United States government under Donald Trump has deported 14 West African migrants, including Nigerians and one Gambian, to Ghana.
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama disclosed the development late Wednesday, confirming their arrival.
“A group of 14 deportees, including Nigerians and one Gambian, have already arrived in Ghana, and the government facilitated their return to their home countries,” Mahama told reporters at a press conference.
He explained that the Nigerians had already been sent back home by bus, while the Gambian was still being assisted to return.
“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,” Mahama added.
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“All our fellow West African nationals don’t need visas to come to our country.”
Mahama described Ghana-US ties as a “tightening situation”, citing higher US tariffs on Ghanaian goods and visa restrictions on its citizens, but stressed relations remained cordial.
The Trump administration has been engaging African governments to accept deportees as part of its immigration clampdown.
Some deportees have been from Jamaica, Vietnam, and Laos, drawing criticism from rights groups who argue the removals breach basic human rights.
Nigeria, a vocal critic, has previously rejected pressure to take in third-country migrants from the US.
The Trump administration has continued high-profile deportations to so-called “third countries.” In July, the US deported five individuals to Eswatini and eight others to South Sudan.
In August, Rwanda accepted seven deportees following an agreement with Washington to transfer up to 250 people.