Foreign Affairs Minister-designate, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that 156 Ghanaians are currently facing imminent deportation from the United States.
The North Tongu MP disclosed this during his vetting on Friday, following earlier communication by U.S authorities of a mass deportation of over 3,200 Ghanaians.
“Currently, the official communication the ministry has received from Washington is 156, not 6,200. 156 imminent deportation,” he stated.
Mr Ablakwa noted that 40 of the affected individuals have been identified for expedited removal.
“Those people expedited to be deported, it is clear that President Trump is really serious about this executive order,” he added.
The nominee further emphasised the need for Ghana’s diplomatic missions to provide necessary support to affected citizens, urging a strategic approach in handling the situation.
“The strategy that we should deploy as a country is to ensure that our missions abroad extend consular services to all of these persons. They are our compatriots, we must be concerned about their welfare,” he noted.
He also touched on the need for legal assistance and the establishment of a consular fund to support Ghanaians facing deportation.
“If we have to give them legal assistance, that’s why I talked about the consular fund. We need to quickly populate that fund, and I’m happy that the distinguished Minister of Finance is here.
“As we work on the 2025 budget, it is a line item I would really be appealing to his ministry to approve, so that we would have a consular fund for the first time. That fund will be available for legal support and consular assistance,” he explained.
Mr Ablakwa assured the affected citizens will not be abandoned as he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring humane treatment.
“Let’s do our best so that if they have a case to remain in those countries, and then if they have to be received by us, it is also done in a humane way that respects their rights.
“So, we are not going to leave them there to struggle on their own. We will let them feel and know that the government of Ghana, the people of Ghana care about their plight and that we are doing our best to extend to them consular assistance,” he pledged.
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