Ghana accepted third-party deportees on humanitarian grounds and not money - Ablakwa

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has firmly stated that Ghana did not request or receive any financial or material compensation from the United States for agreeing to host some third-party deportees.

Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Mr. Ablakwa explained that the arrangement was driven solely by humanitarian and Pan-African principles, not financial negotiations.

“We are Pan-Africanists, and these are our fellow West Africans in distress — detained and treated without dignity. As Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana, we cannot look away,” he told the House. “We did not ask for a cent from Trump’s America.”

According to the minister, Ghana reminded the U.S. authorities that citizens of ECOWAS member states are entitled to visa-free entry and can stay in Ghana for up to 90 days under regional protocols.

Questions Over National Interest and Security Risks

His clarification came in response to a question from the Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, who sought details on what Ghana gained from the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the U.S. and how potential security risks posed by third-party deportees had been assessed.

Security Agencies Conduct Full Background Checks

Mr. Ablakwa stressed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not act independently in such matters. All decisions are made in consultation with the President and coordinated with key security institutions, including the National Security Council Secretariat, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ghana Immigration Service.

He noted that all notifications about individuals admitted under special circumstances arrive through official diplomatic channels and are followed by rigorous vetting, background checks, and threat assessments.

He assured Parliament that Ghana has consistently refused to accept anyone with a criminal record.

Ghana’s Long Humanitarian Tradition

The minister highlighted Ghana’s longstanding record of providing refuge to distressed persons from across the world — from Liberia and Sierra Leone to Côte d’Ivoire and Lebanon.

He also referenced past special arrangements, including the resettlement of two former Guantanamo Bay detainees.

“Ghana remains a beacon of peace and stability because of the strict security protocols and inter-agency coordination we apply in all such cases,” he noted.

Mr. Ablakwa reaffirmed that the government remains committed to protecting national security while honouring Ghana’s humanitarian responsibilities.