Ghana Agrees to Take In West African Deportees from US Amid Growing Regional Tensions

Ghana Agrees to Accept West African Deportees from US Accra, GHANA - September 11, 2025 - Ghana has agreed to accept West Africans deported from the United States, according to President John Mahama. The decision was made after the US approached Ghana to take in nationals from West Africa, where a regional agreement allows visa-free travel. "We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US," Mahama said at a press conference on Wednesday. "And we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable." The first batch of 14 people, including several Nigerians and one Gambian, has already arrived in Ghana, according to Mahama. The US has been deporting undocumented immigrants to third countries, including places they have never lived, as part of President Donald Trump's immigration policy. The administration has tried to strike deals with multiple African countries to accept these deportees. Critics argue that this policy is a form of "exporting" the problem rather than addressing the root causes of immigration. "This is just another example of the US trying to shift its responsibility onto other countries," said Dr. Akua Ofori, a human rights activist in Ghana. However, others see it as an opportunity for Ghana and the US to strengthen their relations. "We believe that this agreement will help to tighten our ties with the US and create more opportunities for cooperation between our two countries," said Mahama. The number of deportees Ghana has agreed to accept is not specified. However, human rights groups are concerned about the potential impact on those being deported. "These individuals may be fleeing persecution or violence in their home countries and may not have access to due process or fair treatment," said Dr. Ofori. As for next developments, Mahama's administration has promised to work closely with the US government to ensure a smooth transition for the deportees. The Ghanaian president also emphasized that his country is committed to upholding its obligations under international law. The agreement between Ghana and the US is seen as a significant development in the region, but it remains to be seen how it will play out in practice. *Reporting by Dw.*