Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that the country is set to receive another 40 West African nationals deported from the United States in the coming days. According to him, the government is prepared to process their arrival in line with ECOWAS visa-free travel protocols. After initial screening, the deportees will either remain temporarily in Ghana or be allowed to return to their respective home countries.

This comes after the arrival of 14 West African deportees earlier this month, made up of 13 Nigerians and one Gambian. Ghanaian authorities initially stated that the group had been permitted to return to their countries of origin, though subsequent reports raised questions about their actual status.

Context & Background

Since July 2025, under the Trump administration’s controversial “third-country” deportation policy, the U.S. has been sending individuals to countries where they are not citizens. Ghana, alongside Rwanda and Eswatini, was named among destinations for these relocations.

On September 11, Ghana confirmed receipt of the first group of 14 deportees. Their case attracted attention after reports alleged that some had been restrained in straitjackets for long hours during transport, provided only bread and water, and held under difficult conditions at Ghana’s Dema Camp, a temporary facility.

Allegations & Legal Challenges

Human rights lawyers and deportees themselves have alleged violations, including the deportation of individuals who had previously won asylum protections in U.S. courts. Critics argue that this practice undermines international agreements on the protection of refugees.

In the United States, a federal judge raised serious concerns that the deportation scheme appeared designed to circumvent immigration court rulings. However, she noted that her jurisdiction did not extend to migrants once they were outside U.S. territory. She ordered the disclosure of any agreements between the U.S. and Ghana regarding the deportations.

Meanwhile, in Ghana, at least 11 of the original 14 deportees are believed to still be in detention, despite earlier claims that they had returned home. They have since filed lawsuits in Ghana’s High Court, citing unlawful detention and mistreatment, and are seeking an injunction to prevent further transfers to third countries.

Looking Ahead

With the expected arrival of the new group of 40 deportees, Ghana once again faces a difficult balancing act: upholding its commitments under ECOWAS, honoring international human rights standards, and managing the diplomatic consequences of cooperating with the U.S. third-country deportation policy.

This situation continues to stir debate in both Ghana and abroad, with human rights advocates calling for greater transparency, accountability, and humane treatment of all deportees.