Ghana Receives Nigerians, Other West Africans Deported from U.S.

Ghana has begun receiving West African nationals deported from the United States, including Nigerians, President John Dramani Mahama announced on Wednesday.

According to Reuters, the first group of 14 deportees—comprising Nigerians, a Gambian, and others—has already arrived in Accra, with Ghanaian authorities coordinating their transfer to their home countries.

Mahama explained that the U.S. requested Ghana’s cooperation in accepting third-country nationals facing deportation. “We agreed because all our fellow West Africans don’t need a visa to come to our country,” he said, justifying the decision on the basis of regional visa-free entry.

The move comes as Washington intensifies its deportation efforts under President Donald Trump, who has expanded removals to “third countries” as part of his immigration crackdown. Deportees have previously been sent to Eswatini, South Sudan, and Rwanda despite human rights concerns.

Nigeria, however, has declined similar requests. In July, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar reaffirmed that Nigeria would not accept non-Nigerian deportees, citing security and economic considerations.

Trump also hosted leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal at the White House on July 9, with efforts to secure agreements on receiving deportees among the key agenda items.