President John Mahama has emphasized that Ghana’s security and sovereignty will remain uncompromised despite the decision to facilitate the deportation of some West African nationals from the United States to Ghana.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of 11 new envoys, President Mahama reassured Ghanaians, stating, “I wish to assure my countrymen and women that our understanding with the U.S. does not undermine our sovereignty, security, or stability. Ghana will not, and I repeat, will not become a dumping ground for deportees, nor will we accept individuals with criminal backgrounds.”
The President also defended his government’s successful negotiation of the reversal of US visa restrictions, attributing the initial imposition to Ghanaian nationals, particularly students, overstaying their permits.
“Many of you are aware that Ghana became the only country subject to U.S. visa restrictions to secure a complete reversal from the Trump administration. Let me state clearly that this outcome was negotiated in Ghana’s best interest,” he said. President Mahama clarified that no financial arrangements were part of the negotiations with Washington.
He cautioned Ghanaians against overstaying their visas in the US, warning that visa cancellations and downgrades occur when the threshold is exceeded. “Those of you applying for visas, please, when you go, come back. Because you affect everybody else,” he urged.
The President further noted that Ghana had given assurances to US authorities to work towards reducing the number of overstayers
