Ghana’s government has announced that the United States has designated 188 of its citizens for deportation as part of a reinvigorated immigration enforcement campaign under US President Donald Trump’s administration.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra on Thursday, June 26, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said that the Ministry has had formal notice of the deportation list from U.S. authorities.
Ghana is actively working with U.S. agencies to make sure the repatriation is carried out in a compassionate and respectable way, he promised.
“We have so far been formally notified of 188 Ghanaians on President Trump’s deportation list, our embassies in New York and Washington are cooperating with U.S. counterparts, and travel certificates are being promptly issued,” Mr. Ablakwa confirmed.
He emphasized that Ghana would treat all deportees with dignity and that, in partnership with the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ministry of the Interior, a thorough reintegration program has been initiated.
“We will be at the airport to welcome our compatriots and ensure they are properly integrated, this will be done discreetly to protect their dignity, especially since many are returning under distressing circumstances, some without personal belongings or savings,” he said.
The declaration comes after a Washington Post article that claimed the Trump administration was thinking of extending its travel and visa restrictions to up to 36 nations.
Compared to the 19 countries impacted during Trump’s first term, this would represent a substantial rise. Despite Ghana’s official exclusion from the enlarged ban list, Mr. Ablakwa said the government is taking no chances.
“We’ve had very productive meetings with the U.S. State Department and White House officials. Ghana’s long-standing and strategic ties with the United States will count for something,” he said.
He restated that Ghana expects to be treated fairly and has continuously shown goodwill in adhering to U.S. immigration laws.
“We are confident Ghana will not be treated like countries facing serious national security red flags. Our cooperation has been consistent, and we remain a responsible partner.”
Mr. Ablakwa added that 56 of the 188 people on the list have already been sent back to Ghana, while the remaining ones are still undergoing various processing steps.
He urged respect for the rights and dignity of people who are being deported, while accepting the U.S. government’s authority to enforce its immigration laws.
The Minister also disclosed that Ghana and the United States had recently worked together to apprehend and extradite suspects in a $100 million fraud case.
“This level of cooperation underlines the maturity of our bilateral relationship,” he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it will keep up diplomatic efforts to guarantee that any measures implemented by U.S. authorities adhere to international human rights norms.
Source: newsthemegh.com