Ghana’s Minister-Designate for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has confirmed that 156 Ghanaians are currently facing imminent deportation from the United States. Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Ablakwa debunked earlier reports of a mass deportation of over 6,000 Ghanaians under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, clarifying that official communication from U.S. authorities puts the number at 156.
Among them, approximately 40 individuals are set for expedited removal. Ablakwa highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has intensified operations since Trump’s inauguration, leading to thousands of arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants.
The minister-designate emphasized the importance of Ghana’s diplomatic missions offering consular support to affected citizens. He proposed the creation of a consular fund to provide legal and humanitarian assistance for deportees, urging the Finance Ministry to allocate resources in the 2025 budget.
Ablakwa reassured Ghanaians that the government remains committed to protecting the rights and dignity of its citizens abroad. He stressed the need for a humane approach to deportations, ensuring that those eligible to remain in the U.S. receive legal assistance while others are properly reintegrated upon their return to Ghana.
