Ghana agrees to take in West African migrants deported from US
4 Min Read
Fourteen deportees have already arrived in the country under a bilateral deal, with more expected in the coming months.
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Ghana's President John Mahama speaks to the media at the Jubilee House in Accra, Ghana, Wednesday, Sept 10, 2025 (Ghana Presidency via AP)
Ghana has agreed to take in West African nationals deported from the US as part of US President Donald Trump’s wider crackdown on illegal immigration. Ghanaian President John Mahama confirmed that 14 individuals had already arrived under a bilateral deal, with more expected in the coming months.
He explained that the group included several Nigerians and one Gambian, noting that Ghana had already facilitated the Nigerians’ return home by bus while the Gambian was still receiving assistance.
“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,” Mahama said.
He justified the decision by citing the ECOWAS free movement protocol, which allows citizens of member states to enter and reside in other West African countries for up to 90 days without a visa. He emphasized that Ghana’s role was to provide temporary entry before the deportees returned to their countries of origin.
“All our fellow West African nationals don’t need visas to come to our country,” Mahama added.
US deportations to other African nations
Ghana joins other African nations that have recently accepted deportees from the US. In July, eight individuals were sent to South Sudan, while five were flown to Eswatini. Rwanda also received seven deportees last month.
According to US officials, these removals target migrants whose home countries refuse to accept them back. However, rights groups argue that transferring migrants to countries where they hold no citizenship, so-called third-country deportations, raises serious legal and ethical concerns.
Legal, human rights concerns over third-country deportations
Human rights experts warn that the US policy may violate international law. Legal challenges have already emerged, particularly regarding deportations to South Sudan and Eswatini, where concerns over human rights abuses are widespread.
Speaking to the BBC, Professor David Super of Georgetown University noted that migrants are often denied the chance to challenge their deportation and risk being sent to unsafe environments. In one case, deportees were held in a shipping container at a US military base in Djibouti while awaiting a court ruling.
Dr Edwards, a legal analyst, added that such rushed removals undermine migrants’ right to due process. “Proceedings often begin far too late, when people are already en route to deportation, and that is deeply problematic,” she told the BBC.
Why African nations accept US deportees
The motivations behind these deportation agreements are not always transparent. Eswatini and South Sudan have cited strong ties with Washington as key reasons for their cooperation. Analysts suggest that economic incentives, visa concessions, or fear of US retaliation may also play a role.
Past arrangements reportedly involved financial compensation. In 2021, reports indicated that El Salvador was offered $6 million to accept Venezuelan deportees. Similarly, some African governments may hope for tariff relief, visa leniency, or even the lifting of sanctions in exchange for compliance.
Still, not all countries are willing to comply. Nigeria has openly rejected requests to accept third-country deportees, with Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar stressing, “We have enough problems of our own.”
Despite its cooperation on deportations, Ghana’s broader relationship with the US faces strains. Mahama pointed to rising tariffs on Ghanaian goods and tighter visa restrictions on Ghanaian nationals. He described the relationship as a “tightening situation” but insisted it remained generally positive.
