The Minister-Designate for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has clarified that only 156 Ghanaians are currently at risk of deportation from the United States, contrary to earlier reports suggesting a mass deportation of 6,200 individuals under President Donald Trump.
During his vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Friday, January 31 Ablakwa explained that official communication from U.S. authorities indicates a significantly lower number of individuals facing deportation.
“There have been publications that about 6,200 Ghanaians will be affected by the mass deportation by the United States. But from the brief that has been shared with me from the officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they allay fears that the numbers are not that high and that currently, the official communication the ministry has received from Washington DC is 156, not 6,200, which face imminent deportation,” he stated.
Ablakwa assured the committee that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively working with U.S. authorities to protect the rights and dignity of affected Ghanaians.
In light of the recent changes in U.S. immigration policy under President Donald Trump’s administration, Ablakwa noted that the new 2025 immigration laws have created stricter deportation procedures and expanded eligibility criteria for removal.
These updated laws will likely impact foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, but he reassured the public that the government is closely monitoring the situation and providing support to those affected.