Ghana has joined the growing list of African nations cooperating with Washington on its controversial deportation program, as President Donald Trump intensifies his clampdown on illegal immigration.
President John Mahama confirmed that his government reached a bilateral understanding with the United States to accept individuals from West African countries who have been removed from America.
According to him, 14 people have already been received under the arrangement.
He explained that the policy aligns with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) free movement protocol, which permits citizens of member nations to enter and stay in another West African country for up to 90 days without a visa.
The recent arrivals include several Nigerians and a Gambian national, Mahama revealed. Ghana has since assisted the Nigerians with transportation back to their homeland by road, while the Gambian is still in the process of being resettled.
“We were approached by the US to host West African nationals who were deported from America,” Mahama said.
“Given our regional obligations, we considered it reasonable to accept them.”
The development comes as the Trump administration continues to seek agreements with African governments as part of its broader immigration strategy.
In recent months, deportees have been sent to countries such as Rwanda, Eswatini, and South Sudan.
But the plan has not been without opposition. Nigeria, which has consistently resisted Washington’s push, has made it clear that it will not accept deportees who are not its citizens.
Human rights groups have also condemned the initiative, insisting that many of those deported face uncertain futures and potential rights violations.
Despite these concerns, Mahama maintained that Ghana’s ties with the United States remain intact, although he admitted that issues such as higher US tariffs on Ghanaian exports and visa restrictions on Ghanaians have strained relations.
“Our partnership with Washington is going through challenges, but it remains constructive,” he added.
Observers note that Trump’s deportation drive has not only targeted Africans but also individuals from countries like Jamaica, Vietnam, and Laos, sparking a wider debate on the fairness and legality of the policy.