Ghana has confirmed that it will accept West African nationals deported from the United States, with President John Dramani Mahama revealing that 14 migrants have already arrived under the new arrangement. The agreement applies to citizens of West African states that enjoy visa-free entry into Ghana.
Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Mahama explained that Washington approached Accra with the request, and the government agreed. “We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US, and we agreed that West African nationals were acceptable because all our fellow West Africans don’t need a visa to come to our country,” the president said.
The first group of deportees, comprising mainly Nigerians and one Gambian, arrived in Accra earlier this week. According to Mahama, the Ghanaian government has provided assistance for them to continue to their home countries. While no cap has been placed on the number of arrivals Ghana may host, he emphasized that the process will remain consistent with existing regional frameworks.
This move comes against the backdrop of heightened deportation efforts by the US under President Donald Trump, who has made immigration enforcement a central policy. Washington has sought agreements with multiple African states to accept deportees, presenting such deals as a deterrent to unlawful migration.
In recent months, Eswatini, South Sudan, and Rwanda have all accepted deported migrants under similar arrangements, reflecting a broader trend. Ghana’s participation now positions it among the African countries working directly with Washington on this issue.
For Mahama, the policy also fits within the principles of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which upholds the right of free movement across the region. “Our neighbours don’t need visas to come to Ghana,” he reiterated, stressing that the initiative remains aligned with regional obligations.
By cooperating with the United States, Ghana underscores both its diplomatic flexibility and its commitment to regional solidarity, even as deported migrants face uncertainty about their safety and future prospects once returned.
