Minority condemns U.S.–Ghana deportee agreement as unconstitutional
The Minority Caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament has sharply criticised the government over its agreement with the United States to make Ghana a receiving point for West African nationals deported from America.
During a media encounter at Jubilee House on Wednesday, September 10, President John Dramani Mahama confirmed that Ghana had already received 14 deportees — including Nigerians and one Gambian — under the deal.
He justified the arrangement by citing the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement, which allows citizens of member states to enter and reside in other West African countries for up to 90 days without a visa.
However, in a statement signed by the Committee’s Ranking Member, Samuel A. Jinapor, on September 12, the Minority described the move as a “grave constitutional breach” and an affront to Ghana’s sovereignty and foreign policy.
“Article 75 of our Constitution is clear that any treaty, agreement, or convention executed by or under the authority of the President must be laid before Parliament and ratified. It is surprising that this government has chosen to ignore this constitutional requirement,” Mr. Jinapor stated.
The caucus drew parallels with the controversial 2016 decision by the Mahama administration to admit two Yemeni terror suspects from Guantanamo Bay without parliamentary approval — a move later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
“Beyond this blatant constitutional breach, the agreement raises pressing concerns of sovereignty, security, and policy,” the statement warned.
The Minority argued that the deal could undermine Ghana’s long-standing foreign policy principles.
“Ghana has built a proud reputation for principled diplomacy rooted in non-alignment, regional solidarity, and respect for human rights. To associate Ghana with the United States’ harsh immigration enforcement regime could damage our international standing,” the caucus cautioned.
It has therefore called for the immediate suspension of the agreement until it is properly laid before Parliament for scrutiny and ratification.
“We demand that government provides full clarity on when this agreement was reached, the safeguards in place, and the broader implications of receiving these deportees. No future agreements of this nature must ever be implemented without prior parliamentary approval,” Mr. Jinapor insisted.
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