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Ghana agrees to accept West Africans deported from US Ghana agrees to accept West Africans deported from US
(32 minutes later)
President John Mahama said Ghana was approached by the US to accept deporteesPresident John Mahama said Ghana was approached by the US to accept deportees
Ghana has become the latest country to accept people deported from the US as part of its campaign against undocumented migrants. Ghana has become the latest country to accept people deported from the US as part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration.
President John Mahama said nationals from various West African countries would now be taken in following a bilateral agreement with the US. He said 14 had already arrived.President John Mahama said nationals from various West African countries would now be taken in following a bilateral agreement with the US. He said 14 had already arrived.
He cited the regional bloc Ecowas's free movement protocol that allows citizens of member states to enter and reside in other West African countries without a visa. He cited the regional bloc Ecowas's free movement protocol that allows citizens of member states to enter and reside in other West African countries without a visa for up to 90 days.
Last month, the US deported seven migrants to Rwanda while in the previous month five were sent to Eswatini and eight others to South Sudan. Last month, the US deported seven migrants to Rwanda while in July, five were sent to Eswatini and eight others to South Sudan.
The 14 people already deported to Ghana include "several" Nigerians and a Gambian, the president said. He did not specify the total number of deportees the country would take.The 14 people already deported to Ghana include "several" Nigerians and a Gambian, the president said. He did not specify the total number of deportees the country would take.
He said Ghana had already facilitated the return of the Nigerians back to their country by bus while the Gambian was still being assisted to go back to their country. He said Ghana had already facilitated the return of the Nigerians to their country by bus while the Gambian was still being assisted to return home.
"We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US. And we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable," Mahama said."We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US. And we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable," Mahama said.
"All our fellow West African nationals don't need visas to come to our country," he added."All our fellow West African nationals don't need visas to come to our country," he added.
Destination: Africa - is it legal for US to deport foreign criminals to the continent?Destination: Africa - is it legal for US to deport foreign criminals to the continent?
Nigeria has 'enough problems' and can't take deportees from USNigeria has 'enough problems' and can't take deportees from US
Mahama described Ghana-US relations as a "tightening situation", citing the hiked US tariffs on Ghanaian goods and visa restrictions on its nationals. He however said relations remained positive.Mahama described Ghana-US relations as a "tightening situation", citing the hiked US tariffs on Ghanaian goods and visa restrictions on its nationals. He however said relations remained positive.
The Trump administration has approached a number of African countries to accept deportees as part of its push to deter immigration.The Trump administration has approached a number of African countries to accept deportees as part of its push to deter immigration.
Some of those deported have been citizens of countries such as Jamaica, Vietnam and Laos, with rights groups arguing that this violated their basic rights.Some of those deported have been citizens of countries such as Jamaica, Vietnam and Laos, with rights groups arguing that this violated their basic rights.
Some countries have pushed back against the deportation strategy.Some countries have pushed back against the deportation strategy.
Nigeria, which has been a vocal opponent, has previously said it would not bow to pressure to accept third-country prisoners from the US. Nigeria, which has been a vocal opponent, has previously said it would not bow to pressure to accept third-country migrants from the US.
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Why Trump invited five African leaders to the White HouseWhy Trump invited five African leaders to the White House
US cuts visa validity for applicants from four African countriesUS cuts visa validity for applicants from four African countries
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafricaFollow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica