Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has defended the government’s decision not to seek parliamentary approval before agreeing to temporarily host African nationals deported from the United States, stressing that the arrangement is based on a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and therefore does not require ratification.

Ghana has so far received 54 deportees, 14 in the first batch and another 40 after offering humanitarian support to African nationals, mainly from the West African sub-region, who were removed from the U.S.

The Minority has criticised the move, insisting that Parliament should have been consulted. But addressing the House on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Ablakwa maintained that the MoU in question is part of routine diplomatic practice and does not constitute a treaty or binding agreement that triggers parliamentary oversight.

“If you look at the work we do at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, on a daily basis, we could sign about 50 MoUs. If we were to bring MoUs—which are not legally binding, to Parliament, it would be impractical."

“Our foreign policy will grind to a halt, and we will not be able to function. Notes of understanding, note verbale, cannot be treated as agreements or treaties, as we have been well advised by the Attorney General", he explained.

He also disclosed that the Attorney General has informed the ministry of a legal action filed by citizen activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor over the matter, urging caution in public commentary.

Mr. Ablakwa emphasised that Ghana’s role in receiving the deportees neither undermines national sovereignty nor deviates from the country’s longstanding humanitarian commitments within the region.