Naagyei 90.3 Fm Agyapa
The United States of America (USA) has slapped visa sanctions on Ghana for failing to cooperate with the deportation of some Ghanaian nationals from the U.S.
“Ghana has failed to live up to its obligations under international law to accept the return of its nationals removed from the United States,” said a Press Statement by Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen.
The statement further explained that “Pursuant to her authority under Section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen notified Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the Government of Ghana has denied or unreasonably delayed accepting their nationals ordered removed from the United States,”
Meanwhile, U.S government says that Ghana risk further sanctions should the Ghanaian authorities remain uncooperative.
“Without an appropriate response from Ghana, the scope of these sanctions may be expanded to a wider population. The sanctions will remain in place until the Secretary of Homeland Security notifies Secretary Pompeo that cooperation on removals has improved to an acceptable level.”
Ghana has been reneging on its legal obligation to issue travel documents to Ghanaians under deportation orders which will allow them to be deported via commercial flights,the U.S authorities say.
The United States Embassy in similar statement issued in June, 2018 indicated that the government of Ghana was not complying with international obligations regarding the issuance of travel documents to Ghanaians awaiting deportation in the USA, hence warned that the US would be forced to begin implementing visa restrictions in accordance with its laws as a responsibility owed the American people.
