Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced that the Ghanaian government is not responsible for the travel expenses of Ghanaians facing deportation from the United States.

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Speaking in Parliament while responding to questions about his ministry, on Thursday March 13, the North Tongu MP explained that the U.S. government is covering all travel costs for deportees. He emphasized that Ghana’s only responsibility is to facilitate their return by issuing the necessary travel certificates.

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"Theres another issue I must quicklyspeak to which has to dowith the tickets with the returrness. Let place on record that the USA authoritties are bearing the cost.They are paying the ticket fares for the deportation of our nationals amd all of these deportations they are doing they are taking acre of the cost.we alre only to facilitate by provising the travel certificate and makinhg sure that as receiving country we are ready to receive them when they arrive but we are not paying for the tickets , the US authorities are handling that" he said.

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His comments come amid the U.S. government’s intensified immigration enforcement, which has led to the mass deportation of undocumented migrants.

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He further went on to assured Ghanaians that the individuals being deported from the United States are not criminals but rather hardworking people who failed to regularize their immigration status.

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Providing details in Parliament, the North Tongu MP stated, "And in terms of the profile, so far I can confirm that so far the profiling we have done these are indeed Ghanaians but they are Ghanaians who did not commit any crime, or are hardedned criminals, they are decent people who were in such of greener pastures and didn't regularise their stay….They are very harmless so there shouldn't be concern in Ghana that when we accept theese people they may attack or undermine the safety of our nationals

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Ablakwa urged Ghanaians to support these deportees who are facing this setback following their quest to seek greenr pastures."...they need is our empathy and our care and show them compassion" he added.

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Mr. Ablakwa also revealed that the affected individuals are scheduled to depart the U.S. on March 19, March 28, and April 1.

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"None of the affected Ghanaians are in detention as we speak. 50 out of the 150 individuals have received final deportation orders for court. Their deportation is expected to take place by mid-year. The remaining 100 cases are either under appeal or have been dismissed" he continued.

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The ongoing deportations are part of an intensified immigration enforcement effort by U.S. authorities, which began on January 26. The crackdown, led by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, has so far resulted in nearly 1,000 arrests, focusing on individuals considered threats to public safety and national security.

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The Ghanaian government has pledged to continue monitoring the situation and providing necessary support to affected nationals.

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