By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
FRESH DETAILS have emerged on a bilateral understanding that allows Ghana to act as a receivership hub for West African nationals deported from the United States of America (USA).
President John Dramani Mahama has confirmed that his government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US State Department to receive third-party nationals removed from America and facilitate their return to their respective countries.
Mahama disclosed that the first batch of 14 deportees – made up of Nigerians, a Gambian and other West Africans – had already landed in Accra.
“We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US, and we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable because all our fellow West Africans don’t need a visa to come to our country,” he said.
He further justified the deal by pointing to existing ECOWAS protocols that allow free movement of citizens across the region.
The arrangement comes against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s push to expand deportations under his immigration policy, which has included removals to countries such as Eswatini, South Sudan and Rwanda.
The White House has sought to persuade several African governments to accept migrants who are not their nationals as part of its third-country removal strategy.
Nigeria, however, has rejected similar overtures from Washington. Officials in Aso Rock stated that the country would not agree to serve as a receiving ground for deportees from other nations, according to a senior presidency source, speaking on condition of anonymity, who said: “Nigeria is a Sovereign nation of the largest black race in the world.
“We cannot be bullied into serving as receivership to deported West African nationals from the United States. We have our integrity as a country which we guard jealously.”
In July, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, reaffirmed the government’s position, stressing that deportees from outside the country would not be accepted on grounds of national security and economic stability.
According to Reuters, Trump hosted five West African leaders at the White House on July 9, with one of the key objectives being to secure commitments for receiving deportees from America.
Ghana’s agreement contrasts sharply with Nigeria’s rejection, underscoring differing national approaches to Washington’s requests.
