During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, January 31, Mr. Ablakwa emphasized the importance of creating a financial mechanism to empower embassies and consulates to assist distressed citizens effectively.

“The Consular Fund will ensure that no Ghanaian is left without representation or support during difficult circumstances,” he stated.

Mr. Ablakwa highlighted the urgent need for intervention, particularly in response to recent mass deportations announced by the United States.

He expressed concern over the degrading treatment many deportees endure, often without access to legal counsel or consular intervention.

“When given the nod, I will ensure that we establish a Consular Fund. This will enable our foreign service staff to provide timely and necessary assistance, especially in cases where mass deportations threaten the rights and dignity of Ghanaians,” Mr. Ablakwa said.

He stressed that deportees are entitled to consular support and legal representation to prevent violations of their human rights.

“Those rounded up for deportation deserve legal and consular assistance to ensure their rights are not violated. It is an affront to their dignity if we fail to protect them, and these are issues I will pursue vigorously,” he added.

In addition to addressing deportations, Mr. Ablakwa pledged to engage foreign partners in negotiations to improve migration policies that prioritize the welfare of Ghanaians abroad.

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Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah who announced their arrival at a press conference in Accra on Friday, said the decision was reached by Cabinet with the cost to be taken care of by the Kuwaiti government.

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He indicated that, all the 245 people will be mandatorily quarantined for COVID-19 for 14 days before being discharged.

The deportees in a video were seen in their nose masks with little or no luggage as they marched in a single file at the Kotoka Airport arrival hall.

Watch the video below:

(Video): 245 Ghanaian deportees arrive from Kuwait. #AdomNews #Ghana pic.twitter.com/81Yf08foa7

— Adom TV (@adom_tv) May 23, 2020

Many are in US jails awaiting deportation.

The Trump administration has been embarking on massive deportation of other nationals illegally living in the US and some 7000 Ghanaians will be affected. One of President Donald Trump’s earliest pledges, was to rid the United States of illegal immigrants.

Already, there have been about 100 Ghanaians, who have been deported in 2017. Ambassador Jackson said to Citi News: “I would say roughly 100 have returned so far this year. More will be returning – it is a constant process. There will probably be a charter aircraft coming with some Ghanaians in the next few weeks. Almost every week we see a few leave voluntarily so it is a process that is ongoing.”

In 2016, the United States, deported 108 Ghanaian immigrants for reasons, including drug-related offences, staying illegally, overstaying their permits and other crimes.

In November 2016, a batch of the deportees refused to leave their plane in protest of alleged inhumane treatment, including shackling before and during the journey.

In this instance, Ambassador Jackson noted that, pending the arrival of the oncoming batch of deportees, some of the Ghanaians are still in jail in the United States.

“A few are in jail. Most of them are at liberty but they have been informed by the immigration service that they must leave the United States,” he said. In February 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, came out to deny allegations it authorized the deportation of some undocumented Ghanaians living abroad.

The Ministry described such rumours as deliberate attempts to malign the sector minister, Shirley Ayorkor-Botchwey.