Abu Jinapor welcomes clarification on U.S. Deportee Agreement, urges transparency and parliamentary oversight

The Member of Parliament for Damongo and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has welcomed the clarification provided by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, regarding recent reports about a planned deportation of an alleged criminal to Ghana under a U.S.–Ghana deportee agreement.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Mr. Jinapor, also a former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, described the Foreign Minister’s clarification as “a major relief and a welcome development,” noting that it had brought calm and clarity to an issue that had generated widespread public concern.

The U.S.-based ABC News had earlier reported that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security intended to deport one Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged notorious criminal, to Ghana. However, Mr. Ablakwa clarified that the individual in question would not be deported to Ghana and that the existing Ghana–U.S. agreement was limited to the possible reception of a small number of non-criminal West Africans on humanitarian grounds, consistent with the principles of African solidarity.

Mr. Jinapor commended the Foreign Minister for swiftly addressing the matter but stressed the importance of transparency and constitutional compliance in all international agreements entered into by the Government of Ghana.

“The Minister’s clarification that the said agreement concerns only the possible reception of a limited number of non-criminal West Africans, on humanitarian grounds and in the spirit of African solidarity, seems to contradict the widely held view that this agreement is a quid pro quo for the recent visa concessions granted by the Trump administration,” Mr. Jinapor noted.

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He emphasised that such sensitive agreements must be subjected to parliamentary ratification as required by Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates all international agreements to be laid before Parliament for approval to ensure accountability and safeguard Ghana’s sovereignty.

“It is for reasons such as these that the Minority has consistently called on Government to lay the said agreement before Parliament for ratification. The constitutional requirement that such agreements be laid before Parliament is intended to safeguard the sovereignty of our Republic and ensure that the actions of the Executive remain consistent with the rule of law,” he stated.

The Damongo MP further called on Government to take advantage of the upcoming parliamentary session, which resumes on 21st October, 2025, to lay the agreement before the House for scrutiny and formal ratification.

“Government has a golden opportunity to uphold this constitutional requirement. Doing so will promote transparency, restore public confidence, and strengthen the principles of accountability that underpin our democratic governance,” Mr. Jinapor said.

The statement has been widely welcomed by sections of the public and civil society advocates, who have long called for greater transparency and parliamentary oversight in the negotiation and ratification of international agreements affecting Ghana’s security and foreign policy.

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