Former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister and current member of Parliament’s Security and Intelligence Committee, Charles Wiredu, has raised serious concerns over Ghana’s agreement with the United States to accept deported West African nationals, warning that the deal may lack the required parliamentary oversight.
President John Dramani Mahama, during a media encounter at Jubilee House on Wednesday, confirmed that Ghana had already received 14 deportees, including Nigerians and one Gambian, under an arrangement with Washington. He explained that Ghana could not object to receiving fellow ECOWAS citizens due to the regional bloc’s Protocol on Free Movement, which allows West African nationals to reside in other member states for up to 90 days without a visa.
But reacting in an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Thursday, September 11, Wiredu expressed surprise and alarm at the development, insisting Parliament had not been informed of any such deal.
“I was a bit curious when I heard the President talk about this because apart from the fact that I used to be a Deputy Foreign Minister, I am also a member of the Security and Intelligence Committee and I can tell you on authority that nothing of such sort has been brought to our attention,” Wiredu said.
He stressed that agreements of this nature fall under Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution, which requires international treaties or conventions signed by the President to be submitted to Parliament for ratification.
Quoting the law, he noted: “A treaty, agreement or convention executed by or under the authority of the President shall be subject to ratification by an act of Parliament or a resolution of Parliament supported by the votes of more than one half of all the members of Parliament.”
Wiredu cautioned that bypassing this process undermines transparency, accountability, and constitutional order in handling matters with far-reaching implications for Ghana’s security and foreign policy.
The Presidency is yet to respond to the concerns raised.