The United States is facing criticism over a growing practice of deporting migrants to African countries where they have no ties. Ghana is the latest country to accept such deportees, following similar arrangements with Eswatini, Rwanda, and South Sudan. Uganda has also signed a deal but has not yet received anyone.
Deportees Sent to Ghana
Last week, Ghana received 14 deportees from the US. They included 13 Nigerians and one Gambian. None of them were Ghanaian citizens.
Court documents show that the migrants were woken in the middle of the night on September 5. They were put on a US military cargo plane without being told where they were headed until hours into the flight.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the country accepted them “purely on humanitarian principle.” He explained that Ghana acted out of solidarity, as other West African nations had rejected the request.
Confusion Over Their Status
Ghana’s communication ministry confirmed that the migrants later left for their home countries. A bus reportedly transported the Nigerians back home, a journey of seven to eight hours.
But Nigerian officials said they were not informed about the transfers and expressed shock that their citizens were first sent to Ghana.
Human Rights Concerns
Human rights experts argue that the deportations raise serious legal and ethical questions. Some of the deportees had court orders preventing their return, citing risks of torture or persecution.
Lawyers also claim the migrants were restrained in “straitjackets” for 16 hours during the flight and held in poor conditions after arrival. Ghanaian authorities deny this.
Maureen A. Sweeney, a US immigration lawyer, said the practice shows “extreme indifference” to human rights and international obligations. Critics argue that sending migrants to third countries violates protections guaranteed to asylum-seekers.
