Ghana has begun receiving West African migrants deported from the United States, including Nigerians, President John Dramani Mahama confirmed on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, the first group of 14 deportees — made up of Nigerians, a Gambian, and others — has already arrived in Accra, with Ghanaian authorities coordinating their onward return to their home countries.
Mahama explained that the U.S. had asked Ghana to host deported nationals from across West Africa. He said his government agreed since citizens of the sub-region do not require visas to enter Ghana.
The move comes as Washington intensifies deportations under President Donald Trump, who has pushed for third-country resettlements despite criticism from rights groups. Previous deportations have been directed to countries such as Eswatini, South Sudan, and Rwanda.
Nigeria, however, has refused similar requests. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar stated in July that Abuja would not accept non-Nigerian deportees, citing national security and economic concerns.
Trump had earlier met with five West African leaders — from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal — in a bid to secure their cooperation in receiving deportees.
