The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticised the government’s recent deportation agreement with the United States, describing it as yet another attempt by the Executive to sidestep parliamentary oversight.
The criticism follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ghana and the U.S., which permits the repatriation of certain deportees to Ghana.
According to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, 14 individuals have already been returned under the deal, with 40 more expected.
Defending the agreement, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa explained that the MoU does not require immediate parliamentary ratification since it is not a binding treaty but a working framework within the Executive’s mandate.
He emphasised that the arrangement includes strict security vetting procedures and is consistent with Ghana’s Constitution, ECOWAS protocols, and Pan-African principles.
He further noted that Cabinet and the Attorney General had reviewed the deal, assuring that if the MoU were to be converted into a formal treaty, it would be brought before Parliament as required by Article 75 of the Constitution.
Despite these assurances, the Minority maintains that such a sensitive matter should not have been handled unilaterally by the Executive.
They argue that the agreement carries serious security and diplomatic implications, which demand broader national consultation and parliamentary scrutiny from the outset.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Jinapor, expressed disappointment that Members of Parliament were not informed about the deal and only became aware of it through media reports.
“The fact that we, the minority members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, had to learn of this in the media is very disturbing and is consistent with attempts by the Executive to disregard the other arms of government,” Jinapor said.
