Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has clarified that Ghana’s recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States of America (USA) on deportations does not require parliamentary ratification at this stage.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House on Monday, September 15, 2025, Ablakwa explained that the arrangement is premised on an MoU and not a binding treaty, making it an executive-level understanding, consistent with established conventions.

“As a nation that upholds the dignity and rights of all people, particularly those of African descent, Ghana’s actions were guided solely by moral responsibility, our legal obligations under the 1992 Constitution, ECOWAS protocols, and our Pan-African values,” he stated.

West African Deportees: Measures are in place to reject criminals – Ablakwa

He assured that stringent safeguards have been built into the arrangement to protect national security.

“Under this understanding with the US, Ghana must first independently vet the background of those the US intends to deport to verify ourselves that they do not pose any threats to the security of our country. We will not allow convicted hardened criminals to be brought in,” he stressed.

Ablakwa added that the MoU had been reviewed by Cabinet and the Attorney General, and follows precedents set by previous administrations.

“I have inherited hundreds of MoUs from the previous administration which were not sent to Parliament for ratification. May I assure the nation that if this initial understanding is elevated into a full-blown agreement, we shall comply with Article 75 of the Constitution (1992) by proceeding to Parliament for ratification,” he indicated.

‘Our decision on US deportee deal is purely humanitarian’ – Ablakwa

His clarification comes amid growing public scrutiny after revelations that Ghana had received 14 deportees including Nigerians and one Gambian under the arrangement.

Meanwhile, critics, including former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Charles Owiredu, have questioned the legal basis of the deal and the lack of consultation with Parliament’s Security and Intelligence Committee.

MRA/VPO

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