50 out of 150 Ghanaians currently detained in the United States have been issued final deportation orders and are expected to return to Ghana by mid-year.

Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who revealed this during a presentation in Parliament on Thursday, March 13, noted that the deportation processes for three Ghanaians have already been completed, with their departure scheduled for April 1, 2025.

According to the updates from the Washington mission, "Currently, there are 150 Ghanaians in detention across various centres in the US who are awaiting deportation for crimes such as rape, internet fraud, and illegal entry" the Minister said on the floor of Parliament.

He continued, "50 out of the 150 individuals have received final deportation orders from the court. The deportation is expected to take place by mid-year 2025. The remaining 100 cases are either under appeal or have been dismissed. Representations have been made to US authorities on behalf of one Ghanaian on grounds of ill-health and he has been released to seek medical care. Three Ghanaians have also been processed and scheduled to depart from the US on commercial flights on the 19th of March 2025, 28th March 2025 and 1st April 2025 respectively."

Mr Ablakwa emphasised that “Ten (10) Ghanaians have also been interviewed by the Embassy to verify their nationality and ensure that they have received a fair hearing,” Ablakwa said.