Ghana Receives First US Deportees Under Controversial Agreement

President John Dramani Mahama's decision to accept a group of West African nationals deported from the United States under a new bilateral agreement has sparked criticism from several Ghanaian politicians and activists. MP Michael Kwesi Aidoo and social activist Oliver Barker Vormawor condemned the move as unlawful and argued it undermines Ghana's sovereignty and constitution by bypassing parliamentary approval, likening it to a previous controversial acceptance of Guantanamo Bay detainees. Bernard Mornah, a Pan-Africanist politician, emphasized that while Ghana should remain a refuge for black people rejected by the West, such actions must follow due legal process and maintain transparency. Critics view the policy as turning Ghana into a 'dumping ground' for deportees linked to U.S. immigration policies, which some describe as racially motivated. The debate also draws historical parallels with Ghana's past experiences, including the 1983 deportation of Ghanaians from Nigeria, highlighting ongoing regional tensions related to migration and xenophobia. Overall, there is a strong call for the Ghanaian government to respect constitutional procedures and uphold the nation's dignity in international agreements.