By Atoyebi Nike
Ghana has received its first group of West Africans deported from the United States, under an arrangement allowing removals to third countries, even when deportees have limited ties there.
President John Mahama confirmed that 14 people, including several Nigerians and one Gambian, arrived in Accra this week before being assisted to travel on to their countries of origin.
“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,” Mahama said, noting that under ECOWAS protocols, citizens can move freely across borders without visas.
The deal aligns with President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, which has included deportations to countries such as South Sudan and Eswatini, sometimes despite U.S. court rulings.
The development comes amid strained relations between Ghana and Nigeria, where recent protests accused Nigerian migrants of crime and economic pressure. In July, Nigeria sent a special envoy to Accra to ease tensions.
