Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has rejected claims that Ghana has agreed to accept mass deportees from the United States in exchange for visas.
He clarified that ongoing discussions with Washington are being misrepresented, stressing that Ghana will not allow itself to be used as a dumping ground for U.S. removals.
“Ghana will not be a dumping ground for U.S. removals. Ghana is not accepting criminals from the U.S.,” Mr. Ablakwa said in a statement on Facebook.
According to the Minister, the arrangement under discussion concerns a limited number of pre-vetted West African nationals without criminal records, in line with ECOWAS protocols which already permit visa-free entry for citizens within the sub-region.
He further assured that the deal poses no threat to national security. “Our arrangement with the U.S. government will not undermine Ghana’s security and stability in any way,” he added.
Mr. Ablakwa also revealed that talks with U.S. officials go beyond migration issues.
Ghana, he said, is pushing for a review of the 15% tariffs currently imposed on the country, exploring a special bilateral trade agreement, and negotiating the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which he described as vital to Ghana’s garment sector.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
