Minister explains Ghana’s decision to accept West African deportees from the US

Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Foreign Affairs Minister, has clarified Ghana’s decision to accept West African deportees from the United States (US), stating that it was grounded purely on humanitarian principle and Pan-African solidarity.

“It is important to stress and to state unequivocally that Ghana has not received and does not seek any financial compensation or material benefit in relation to this understanding,” Mr Ablakwa stated on Monday, when he took his turn at the Government Accountability Series press conference held at the Presidency in Accra.

“Our decision is grounded purely on humanitarian principle 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,” he said.

Mr Ablakwa said it was not transactional; stating that like Rwanda, Eswatini, Uganda, South Sudan, who were welcoming fellow Africans, they were standing up for their brothers and sisters in distress, and this should not be misconstrued as an endorsement of the immigration policies of the Trump administration. 

“It is worth emphasizing that since the days of our forebears, Ghana has hosted freedom fighters, welcomed all Africans in the diaspora, offered them safe haven, resources, citizenship, and even our passports,” he said.

“That is why we are seen as a maker of Pan-Africanism. We shall not depart from that inspiring track record.”

Mr Ablakwa said during President John Dramani Mahama’s first media engagement on 10 September, he confirmed that Ghana had accepted some West African nationals who had been deported from the United States.

He noted that providing further elucidation, the President indicated that the US Government had approached Ghana with a request to receive some of these individuals, and his administration agreed to do so, provided they were nationals of West African countries. 

He said the President disclosed that the first batch of 14 people had already arrived in Accra. 

Mr Ablakwa said among them were nationals of Nigeria and The Gambia, who had been assisted to return to their respective countries.

He said 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. 

He said many of these individuals were being held in detention, which was both psychologically and physically distressing.

Mr Ablakwa said the deportees were also faced with the risk of being sent to countries that were not safe and did not have the stability and human rights credentials Ghana is famed for.

“You need to note that President Trump has secured a positive verdict from the US Supreme Court. He could go ahead and remove these nationals and dump them anywhere,” Mr Ablakwa said.

“As a nation that upholds the dignity and rights of all people, particularly those of African descent, Ghana’s action was guided solely by our moral responsibility, our legal obligations under the 1992 constitution and ECOWAS protocols, our distinguished Pan-African record and historic and legendary leadership in championing the rights of all Africans.”

Mr Ablakwa emphasized that under this understanding with the US, Ghana must first independently vet the background of those the US intended to deport to first satisfy themselves that they did not pose any threat to the security of their country or cause harm to citizens. 

“We have put in place strict safeguards to ensure that convicted hardened criminals cannot be brought into our country under this understanding,” he said. 

The Minister said the Mahama Administration would never compromise the safety and well-being of Ghanaians.

He noted that this understanding with the US had been thoroughly discussed by Cabinet and had also received the Attorney-General’s advice. 

He said by established convention, memorandum of understanding (MoUs) were not sent to Parliament for ratification.

He said he had 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 said. 

Mr Ablakwa said President Mahama carried out full disclosure at his media encounter because he was a staunch believer in the principles of transparency and accountability; stating that “In addition, he has absolutely nothing to hide on this matter”.

Source: GNA 

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