President John Mahama has confirmed the arrival of the first group of West African nationals deported from the United States under a bilateral agreement between the two countries.
Speaking at the Presidential Media Encounter at Jubilee House on Wednesday, President Mahama said the initial batch comprised 14 individuals, mostly Nigerians, alongside one Gambian national.
“We were approached by the US to accept third-country nationals who were being removed, and we agreed that West African nationals could be accommodated, since all our fellow West Africans do not require a visa to enter Ghana. So, if they travel from the US to Accra, entry is not an issue. Bringing our West African colleagues back is therefore acceptable,” President Mahama explained.
The President noted that Ghana assisted the Nigerian deportees in returning to their home country by providing bus transportation, while the Gambian national required coordination with the Gambian Embassy to secure an air ticket for repatriation.
President Mahama emphasized that Ghana’s participation in the deportation arrangement is consistent with the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement, which allows citizens of member states to enter and reside in other West African countries without a visa for up to 90 days.
“West Africa has a protocol for free movement, and any West African is free to come to Ghana and stay for up to 90 days. Therefore, if our colleagues are being returned, we have no objection to accepting them,” he added.
Source: Adomonline
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