President John Mahama has given assurances that Ghana’s agreement with the United States to accept deportees of West African nationality will not compromise the country’s sovereignty or security.

Speaking at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, October 1, during an address to Ghana’s envoys ahead of their departure to various postings, the President said fears surrounding the deal were misplaced.

“I wish to assure our countrymen and women that our understanding with the US does not undermine our sovereignty, security or stability,” he stated.

“Ghana will not, and I repeat, will not become a dumping ground for deportees, nor will we accept deportees with a criminal background.”

Ghana has already received two groups of deportees of West African origin under the arrangement with the US government.

President Mahama also addressed the recent US visa restrictions imposed on Ghana and other countries, noting that they were linked to the high number of Ghanaians who overstayed their visas in America.

According to him, Ghana successfully secured a reversal of the restrictions after negotiations with Washington.

“Many of you are aware that Ghana became the only country subject to US visa restrictions to secure a complete reversal from the Trump administration,” he said. “Let me state clearly that this outcome was negotiated in Ghana’s best interest.”

He explained that one of the key issues raised during the talks was overstayers who travelled on student visas or as part of official delegations but failed to return.

“I mean, these are people who go and instead of coming back, they decide to stay. And so, they have the record,” he explained.

“So, when they draw the threshold and you’re above it, then they cancel your five-year visas and bring you to B-5 or B-3. So, we gave assurances that we’ll work with them to make sure our people are not overstaying. So those of you applying for visas, please, when you go, come back. Because you affect everybody else.”

The President also disclosed that discussions are ongoing with the US government to resolve a 15% trade tariff imposed on Ghana and to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which expired on 30 September 2025.

“I also wish to inform you that negotiations are ongoing with regard to the trade tariffs of 15 per cent and the renewal of AGOA, which was a zero per cent tariff on African nations. And so those negotiations are still ongoing,” he said.