President John Dramani Mahama has drawn a firm line on Ghana’s migration policy, declaring that the country will never be used as a dumping ground for foreign deportees with questionable backgrounds.
Speaking in Accra during the swearing-in of newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners, the President responded to growing public anxiety about the government’s understanding with the United States on receiving deportees.
He clarified that Ghana’s cooperation with the U.S. is strictly regulated and does not threaten the nation’s sovereignty or security.
“Ghana will not, and I repeat, will not become a dumping ground for deportees, nor will we accept individuals with criminal backgrounds,” President Mahama asserted.
His remarks followed concerns raised after Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed plans for another group of deportees to arrive from the United States.
Critics, including the Minority in Parliament, had argued the arrangement lacked transparency and parliamentary approval.
President Mahama explained that the framework is guided by a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. and fully consistent with ECOWAS regional protocols.
He stressed that all returnees are thoroughly vetted before acceptance, positioning the policy as both humanitarian and protective of Ghana’s national dignity.
“This understanding reflects Ghana’s Pan-African responsibility to regional cooperation while ensuring that our sovereignty remains intact,” he said.
The President also charged Ghana’s new diplomats to actively protect the country’s international image.
He urged them to highlight Ghana’s democratic stability, peaceful political transitions, and growing potential as a hub for trade, innovation, and youth employment.
“Diplomacy is not only about negotiation—it is about safeguarding the reputation of your country. Tell Ghana’s story with conviction and credibility,” President Mahama told the envoys.
