The Government of Ghana's failure to comply with international obligations regarding the issuance of travel documents to Ghanaians awaiting deportation in the USA has led to the United States of America (USA) government slap Ghana with visa sanctions.

In a press statement, the Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen said: “Ghana has failed to live up to its obligations under international law to accept the return of its nationals removed from the United States,”

The statement further explained that “Pursuant to her authority under Section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen notified Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the Government of Ghana has denied or unreasonably delayed accepting their nationals ordered removed from the United States,”

The U.S government says that Ghana risk further sanctions should the Ghanaian authorities remain uncooperative.

“Without an appropriate response from Ghana, the scope of these sanctions may be expanded to a wider population. The sanctions will remain in place until the Secretary of Homeland Security notifies Secretary Pompeo that cooperation on removals has improved to an acceptable level.”