Ghana has begun accepting deported West African nationals from the United States, including Nigerians, President John Dramani Mahama confirmed on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, Mahama revealed that the first batch of 14 returnees—comprising Nigerians, a Gambian, and others—had already arrived in Accra. Ghanaian authorities are now facilitating their onward return to their respective home countries.
“We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals being deported, and we agreed because West Africans don’t require a visa to enter Ghana,” Mahama explained. He added that the decision was consistent with regional mobility arrangements.
This move comes amid Washington’s intensified deportation campaign under President Donald Trump, who has promoted removals to “third countries” as part of his strict immigration policies.
Trump has previously arranged deportations to Eswatini, South Sudan, and Rwanda, despite objections from rights groups concerned about migrants’ safety.
Nigeria, however, has resisted similar requests. In July, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar stated that the Federal Government would not accept deportees from outside Nigeria, citing national security and economic implications.
On July 9, Trump hosted five West African leaders at the White House—those of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal—seeking their cooperation in receiving deportees from other nations.
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