Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that 150 Ghanaians are currently in detention across various centres in the United States, awaiting deportation for crimes including rape, internet fraud, and illegal entry.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Hon. Ablakwa disclosed that 50 of the detainees have received final deportation orders and are expected to be repatriated by mid-year.
“The remaining 100 cases are either under appeal or have been dismissed.”
His comment comes after he was summoned to Parliament to respond to concerns over the deportation of Ghanaians from the United States of America. The request was made by the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour.
The North Tongu MP revealed that one Ghanaian detainee was released on medical grounds following representations made to US authorities.
He added that three Ghanaians have been processed for deportation and are scheduled to leave the US on commercial flights on 19 March, 28 March, and 1 April 2025.
The Ghanaian Embassy in Washington has also interviewed 10 detainees to verify their nationalities and ensure they have received fair hearings. These individuals are now awaiting flight tickets from the US Department of Homeland Security before their deportation travel documents can be issued.
Lawmakers have urged the government to provide support for the deportees and implement measures to better manage migration.
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