Ghana’s neighbour, Togo, is among several countries affected by a new travel restriction issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, citing security concerns.

According to a CNN report, Trump signed a presidential proclamation on Wednesday evening that imposes either full or partial entry bans on nationals from a list of countries deemed to pose security risks.

The proclamation fully restricts entry for nationals from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Togo is among seven countries facing partial restrictions. The others include Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

The White House says the restrictions are country-specific and account for factors such as poor identity verification processes, high visa overstay rates, and failure to share security-related information with U.S. authorities.

There are, however, exemptions. The proclamation allows entry for U.S. lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, and individuals whose admission aligns with U.S. national interests.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson posted on X (formerly Twitter) that President Trump is "fulfilling his promise to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors." She described the move as “commonsense” and emphasized it is not a blanket ban but rather a targeted measure.

Trump also hinted that the list could expand if new threats emerge. "We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm, and nothing will stop us from keeping America safe," he said in a video posted Wednesday.

The new proclamation, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on June 9, follows an executive order signed on Trump's first day in office this year. That order directed U.S. agencies to evaluate the adequacy of vetting and screening procedures in countries around the world.

This marks a renewed push for Trump’s controversial travel policy. During his first term, he barred travelers from several majority-Muslim countries — a move that faced multiple legal challenges and was eventually rescinded by President Joe Biden in 2021.

Critics have slammed the new ban as discriminatory and harmful to vulnerable populations. Shawn Vandiver, founder of #AfghanEvac, a U.S. coalition of resettlement and veteran groups, said the policy “disproportionately affects families and individuals seeking lawful entry into the U.S.” He described it as a "strategic move, not a response to an immediate threat."

The inclusion of Afghanistan has raised concerns for thousands of Afghans who previously assisted U.S. forces and are now caught in bureaucratic limbo due to Trump-era suspensions of refugee admissions and foreign aid support for Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders.

Humanitarian organisations also voiced opposition. Oxfam America’s President and CEO Abby Maxman warned that the move “marks a chilling return to policies of fear, discrimination, and division,” and would endanger those fleeing war and persecution.

Some foreign governments have pushed back. Venezuela’s Minister of Interior, Diosdado Cabello, speaking on state television, said, “Being in the U.S. is a big risk for anyone, not just Venezuelans,” and mocked the idea of travelling there under the current climate.

The White House maintains that the list will be periodically reviewed and revised based on the cooperation of countries and global threat assessments.