Rights group sues over Ghana‑U.S. deportee pact

Ghana has entered into a bilateral arrangement with the U.S. to accept deported West African migrants via a “third‑country” mechanism. Critics and civil society have raised concerns over the legality, transparency, and human rights implications of this agreement, especially its implementation without parliamentary oversight.

Key developments

The civil rights NGO Democracy Hub has filed a lawsuit challenging the government’s acceptance of U.S. deportees. The suit argues that the agreement was not approved by Parliament—making it unconstitutional—and may violate international protections, including non‑refoulement principles.
According to the claim, 14 more deportees recently arrived, lifting the total under the scheme to 42. Some have been transferred onward to other West African states, complicating their legal standing and access to support.
Legal counsel for Democracy Hub also contends that some deportees lack prior ties to Ghana and face precarious conditions, detention, or lack of due process once returned.

Implications & what to watch

• The Supreme Court’s decision could set a constitutional precedent on executive agreements and human rights compliance in Ghana.
• The government—via the Attorney General’s office—is expected to defend that the arrangement only pertains to West African nationals and follows existing legal protocols.
• The case may spur parliamentary debate on similar foreign‑policy arrangements and strengthen oversight mechanisms.

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Source: raylizaghana.com