Former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has urged the government to suspend what he describes as an “unconstitutional” agreement to receive deported West African nationals from the United States.
He insisted that the agreement should be put on hold pending full parliamentary scrutiny and ratification.
Addressing the media on behalf of the Minority on Wednesday, September 24, Mr Jinapor raised serious concerns over Ghana’s decision to serve as a receiving point for foreign nationals deported from non-ECOWAS countries, particularly the United States.
He argued that such an arrangement, if implemented without parliamentary approval, undermines both the country’s legal framework and its long-standing foreign policy principles.
“While regional integration remains a core value of our foreign policy, it cannot be stretched to justify the forced deportation of foreign nationals deported from other countries,” he stated.
He highlighted that the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement pertains strictly to voluntary travel within the region and should not be misused to justify forced deportations orchestrated by non-ECOWAS states.
Abu Jinapor also warned of the foreign policy ramifications, stressing that aligning Ghana with the current immigration enforcement policies of the United States policies widely criticised as harsh and discriminatory could seriously damage Ghana’s international standing.
“Ghana has over the years built a proud reputation for principled diplomacy rooted in non-alignment, regional solidarity, and respect for human rights,” he said.
“To associate Ghana with such policies could have several negative implications for our country, particularly within the African continent.”
He further expressed concern that Ghana may be seen as complicit in a system that violates the dignity and rights of deportees, thereby straining its relationships with sister African nations and undermining its image as a champion of Pan-Africanism and human rights.
The Damongo MP demanded a suspension of the agreement and insisted that it must undergo full parliamentary scrutiny before any further steps are taken.
“We therefore reiterate our call on government to suspend, with immediate effect, the unconstitutional implementation of this agreement until Parliament has duly exercised its constitutional mandate to scrutinise same and ratify it or otherwise.”
Mr Jinapor also pressed the government to provide full transparency regarding the process and implications of receiving deportees.
This includes details on legal safeguards, diplomatic protocols, and security measures to protect Ghana’s national interest.
“We urge government to provide full clarity on the processes, safeguards, and other broader implications associated with receiving these deportees including the measures, if any, that have been taken to protect Ghana’s security interests,” he added.
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