Ghana sends U.S.-deported West Africans back home despite fears of torture

Ghana has repatriated 11 West African nationals to their home countries after they were deported from the United States — a move that has sparked serious concerns over the risk of torture, persecution, and inhumane treatment.

The individuals, part of a group of 14 deportees who arrived in Ghana from the U.S., had sought legal protection to avoid being sent back to their respective countries. However, by the time the matter reached court on Tuesday, their lawyer revealed they had already been removed.

“We have to inform the court that the persons whose human rights we are seeking to enforce were all deported over the weekend,” said Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the group’s legal representative, during a virtual hearing.

“This is precisely the injury we were trying to prevent,” he added, referring to the potential dangers the deportees might face upon return.

According to the lawsuit, at least eight of the deportees had previously been granted protection by U.S. immigration judges due to risks in their home countries. The group comprised four Nigerians, three Togolese, two Malians, one Liberian, and one Gambian. Their lawyer stated that six are now confirmed to be in Togo, but the whereabouts of the remaining five remain unknown.

Earlier this month, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama acknowledged that Ghana had agreed to temporarily receive West African nationals deported from the U.S. under President Donald Trump’s strict immigration enforcement policies.

The Ghanaian government has insisted its decision was motivated by humanitarian concerns, not political alignment with the U.S. administration.

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, rejected claims that the move signaled support for Trump-era immigration crackdowns.

At a press conference in Accra on Monday, Ablakwa emphasized that Ghana received no financial incentives for its cooperation.

“We should rather be seen as a country that wants to look out for its fellow Africans, that is why we made it clear to the Americans that we will not accept \$1,” he said.

Nigeria, one of the countries whose citizens were returned via Ghana, said it had not been notified about the arrangement. Typically, Nigerians deported from the U.S. are sent directly back to Nigeria, the government noted.