Ghana’s Foreign Minister to Address Concerns Over Deportation of Nationals from U.S.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been summoned by Parliament to address growing concerns surrounding the deportation of Ghanaian nationals from the United States.

The hearing is set for Friday, 28th February 2025, where lawmakers will question the Minister on how the government plans to support the returnees and handle migration more effectively.

The summons comes after a call from the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, who raised alarms over the treatment of Ghanaian deportees in U.S. detention centers.

Fordjour described the conditions as deeply degrading and urged the government to take a firm stance to protect its citizens abroad.

During a parliamentary session on Friday, 21st February, Rev. Ntim Fordjour highlighted the toll these deportations have on the affected individuals.

He expressed concern that many deportees, who had spent most of their lives in the U.S., were finding it difficult to adjust to life in Ghana.

Fordjour emphasized that the deportation process itself was often harsh, with many Ghanaian nationals subjected to poor and inhumane conditions while in detention before their forced removal.

“What is most distressing about these deportations is not only the scale but the inhumane treatment our citizens endure at U.S. detention centers before their forced removal,” Rev. Fordjour said.

“Reports in the media paint a grim picture of our people being subjected to degrading conditions.”

The Assin South MP further pushed for the establishment of comprehensive reintegration programs for returnees.

These programs would include initiatives such as job placements, skills development, and mental health support, helping deportees rebuild their lives in Ghana.

He stressed the need for the government to provide tailored support, especially for those who had been in the U.S. for much of their lives and faced immense challenges reintegrating into Ghanaian society without assistance.

The parliamentary summons reflects growing concern among lawmakers about the treatment of Ghanaian nationals abroad and the difficulties faced by deportees returning to their home country.

Parliament is keen to ensure that the government takes decisive action in supporting these individuals and addresses the broader issue of migration and deportation.