Accra:The government of Ghana has come under fire for allegedly violating international law by deporting refugees back to the countries they initially fled from. These allegations were highlighted in a recent report aired on the American television programme '60 Minutes.'
According to Ghana Web, United States immigration attorney Meredith Yoon has claimed that the US government was aware of Ghana's actions but continued to send deportees to the country despite concerns about their treatment. Yoon pointed out that a lawsuit filed last year had already warned the US government about Ghana's conduct.
Yoon further alleged that despite these warnings, the United States had dispatched 10 additional flights to Ghana, questioning the legality of these transfers. She indicated that deportees such as Musa were either sent directly to Mali or routed through Ghana, which then deported them to Mali, fully aware of the dangers they might face.
The attorney also raised concerns about whether US officials were deliberately ignoring evidence regarding the treatment of deportees sent to Ghana. However, a US official named Percival defended the deportation policy, emphasizing the government's duty to protect American citizens from individuals deemed public safety threats.
Percival argued that previous US administrations failed to address public safety concerns by allowing criminals to remain on the streets without engaging in diplomatic efforts to deport them. He noted that countries like Eswatini and South Sudan had agreed to accept deportees with serious criminal records, including first-degree murder and sexual assault, when their home countries refused.
The report casts a critical eye on Ghana's involvement in the US deportation programme and raises significant questions about the responsibilities of countries accepting deportees and the accountability of the United States in ensuring their safety post-transfer.