Ghana emerges as key transit hub in U.S. deportation push

Ghana has joined a growing list of African nations cooperating with the United States in its controversial immigration enforcement policy, accepting 14 West African deportees recently removed from the U.S.
President John Dramani Mahama confirmed that the arrivals — mostly Nigerians and one Gambian — landed in Accra and were swiftly assisted in returning to their respective home countries. He emphasized that Ghana’s role is as a regional transit point, not a final destination. “We were approached by the U.S. to accept third-party nationals,” Mahama said. “All our fellow West Africans don’t need a visa to come to our country.” His statement reflects the country’s visa-free policy within ECOWAS and its broader regional obligations.
The deportations form part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration agenda, which includes mass deportations and agreements with African countries to receive migrants removed from U.S. soil. Similar deals have been struck with Rwanda, South Sudan, and Eswatini. In July, the United States deported five individuals to Eswatini and another eight to South Sudan. The following month, Rwanda received seven deportees as part of a broader agreement in which Kigali committed to accepting up to 250 migrants gradually over time.
In July, Trump met with five West African leaders to push for expanded deportation partnerships. Ghana was not represented at the meeting but has since aligned with the initiative. While Ghana’s cooperation may ease U.S. enforcement efforts, rights groups caution that deportees often face uncertain or dangerous conditions in transit countries. The arrangement has sparked concerns over legal safeguards and the ethical implications of such third-country removals. Ghana has not placed a limit on future arrivals under this agreement.