Ghana has confirmed the arrival of the first group of West African nationals deported from the United States under a bilateral agreement between the two countries.
Speaking at the Presidential Media Encounter at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, President John Mahama disclosed that 14 individuals were flown in as part of the arrangement.
According to him, the majority of the deportees were Nigerians, while one was a Gambian national.
“We were approached by the US to accept third party nationals who were being deported, and we agreed that West African nationals were acceptable since they do not require a visa to enter Ghana. If they chose to travel directly from the US to Accra, they would not need a visa anyway. So, accepting our fellow West Africans is not a problem,” the President explained.
He noted that Ghana assisted the Nigerian deportees in returning home by providing bus transportation.
For the Gambian national, however, further coordination with the Gambian Embassy was necessary to arrange an air ticket for his repatriation.
President Mahama emphasized that Ghana’s role in the process was consistent with the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement, which allows citizens of member states to enter and reside in other West African countries for up to 90 days without a visa.
“West Africa has the protocol of free movement, and so any West African is free to come to Ghana and stay for 90 days. Therefore, if they are being returned to us, we have no problem accepting them,” he added.
