Ghana Receives First Group of Deported West Africans Under US Agreement
President John Mahama has confirmed that Ghana has received the first group of West African nationals deported from the United States, following a new agreement between the two countries.
Speaking at the Presidential Media Encounter at Jubilee House on Wednesday, September 10, President Mahama revealed that 14 individuals have arrived in Ghana—mostly Nigerians, along with one Gambian national.
“We were approached by the US to accept third-country nationals being deported,” the President explained. “We agreed to take in West African nationals because, under ECOWAS, our fellow West Africans don’t need a visa to enter Ghana. So if they’re returning from the US, it’s essentially the same—they don’t need a visa to come here.”
President Mahama noted that, upon arrival, most of the deportees requested to be sent home to Nigeria and have since been transported there by bus. Ghanaian authorities are currently working with the Gambian Embassy to arrange a flight for the remaining deportee, who needs additional support to return home.
He emphasized that the decision to accept the deportees aligns with the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement, which allows citizens of member states to travel and stay in any West African country for up to 90 days without a visa.
“West Africa has a protocol of free movement,” Mahama said. “So if our fellow West Africans are being brought back, we have no issue accepting them.”
