Minister For Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has confirmed Cabinet’s approval for Ghana to participate in a third-country deportation arrangement with the United States, under which the country will accept a limited number of West African deportees.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, September 15, Mr. Ablakwa clarified that the current framework is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), not a binding treaty.
“Let me emphasise that under this understanding with the United States, Ghana must first independently vet the background of those the U.S. intends to deport, to satisfy ourselves that they do not pose any threat to the security of our country and that they cannot harm our citizens,” he said.
The Minister stressed that robust safeguards are in place to ensure no hardened criminals are admitted, adding:
“The Mahama administration would never compromise the safety and well-being of Ghanaians.”
He explained that the decision underwent full Cabinet deliberation and was reviewed by the Attorney General before approval.
“By established convention, MoUs are not sent to Parliament for ratification. I have inherited hundreds of MoUs from the previous administration, which were not sent to Parliament for ratification. May I assure the nation that if this initial understanding is elevated into a full-blown agreement, we shall not hesitate to comply with Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution by proceeding to Parliament for ratification,” he stated.
His remarks follow concerns from the Minority in Parliament, which has called for the suspension of what it described as an unconstitutional deal.
President John Dramani Mahama had earlier confirmed that Ghana had accepted a small group of West African nationals deported from the U.S., citing humanitarian grounds and the country’s Pan-African values. The first batch of 14 deportees — including Nigerians and Gambians — arrived in Accra and were later assisted to return to their home countries.
“The government of Ghana took the principled and humanitarian decision to accept the limited number of West African nationals deported from the United States under exceptional circumstances, in line with Ghana’s long-standing Pan-African ideals and unwavering commitment to regional solidarity,” President Mahama said.
Mr. Ablakwa emphasised that Ghana has not sought, and will not accept, any financial or material benefit for its cooperation.
“Our decision is grounded purely on humanitarian principles and Pan-African solidarity to offer temporary refuge where needed, to prevent further human suffering, and to maintain our credibility as a responsible regional actor. Ghana’s decision must be understood as an act of Pan-African empathy. It is not transactional like Rwanda, Eswatini, Uganda, or South Sudan,” he noted.
He also stressed that the arrangement should not be interpreted as an endorsement of U.S. immigration policies under President Donald Trump.
“Since the days of our forebears, Ghana has hosted freedom fighters, welcomed Africans in the diaspora, offered them safe haven, resources, citizenship, and even passports. That is why we are seen as the maker of Pan-Africanism. We shall not depart from that inspiring track record,” he added.
Operation Retrieve and Account for Lands (ORAL) On other matters, the Minister reported progress under the ORAL initiative, which has reclaimed state lands at the Airport Residential Area, halted the illegal sale of diplomatic properties in Lagos and Lusaka, and cancelled improperly awarded contracts — including a $3.5 million renovation deal in Abidjan.
He said strict procurement rules are now in force to ensure transparency and value for money.
“Every single contract has gone through a competitive, credible process — from passport courier services to cleaning contracts. Competitive procurement is now the mainstay,” he said.
Mr. Ablakwa added that ORAL has attracted international backing, citing President Mahama’s recent visit to Singapore, where a bilateral framework was agreed to strengthen Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions, including EOCO, CHRAJ, the OSP, and the Police CID.
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