Ghana has begun accepting West African nationals deported from the United States, President John Mahama confirmed on Wednesday. The decision aligns with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Free Movement, allowing citizens of member states to enter and reside in other West African countries without a visa for up to 90 days.
The first batch comprised 14 individuals, mostly Nigerians, alongside one Gambian national, who arrived in Ghana and received government support for repatriation. Ghana assisted Nigerian deportees with bus transportation, while the Gambian national required embassy coordination for an air ticket.
President Mahama emphasized Ghana’s participation is consistent with ECOWAS protocols, stating, “West Africa has a protocol for free movement, and any West African is free to come to Ghana and stay for up to 90 days. Therefore, if our colleagues are being returned, we have no objection to accepting them”.
This move follows a US government request and is part of broader immigration policies and deportation practices, with the Trump administration approaching African governments about accepting deportees.
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