Ghana is set to accept West Africans deported from the United States, as confirmed by Ghanaian President John Mahama on Wednesday. This decision comes in the wake of a broader crackdown on undocumented immigrants under US President Donald Trump, who has been sending individuals to third countries, often to places they have never lived.
President Mahama stated, “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 noted that the first batch of 14 individuals has already arrived in Ghana, including several Nigerians who have since returned home, and one individual from The Gambia.
Historically, Ghana has been a destination for Nigerian immigrants, although recent weeks have seen protests in several cities against Nigerian nationals, with demonstrators blaming them for rising crime and economic competition. In response to these tensions, Nigeria sent a special envoy to Ghana in late July to promote calm and dialogue.
This deportation agreement coincides with increased tariffs on Ghanaian goods and restrictions on visas for Ghanaians by the US. Mahama described the relationship between Accra and Washington as “tightening,” yet emphasized that it remains positive.
Nigeria has resisted accepting third-party deportees, with Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar expressing concerns over the US’s pressure to accept Venezuelan deportees, particularly those with criminal backgrounds. He indicated that Nigeria would find it challenging to accept such individuals, linking the issue to recent tariff threats from the US.
The Trump administration has previously deported hundreds to Panama and El Salvador, often invoking laws to remove individuals accused of gang affiliations, even against court orders. The White House has also deported individuals to South Sudan, a country facing significant challenges.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned.
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