Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is facing mounting criticism following revelations that his ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States to allow deported West Africans to transit through Ghana.
The agreement has already facilitated the arrival of 14 deportees, with at least 40 more expected in the coming days. However, concerns have emerged over the legality of the deal, as it was not ratified by Parliament in accordance with Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution.
In a heated interview on Citi FM, host Bernard Avle pressed Ablakwa on the constitutional implications, citing the 2016 Supreme Court ruling that declared Ghana’s acceptance of Guantanamo Bay detainees unconstitutional due to the absence of parliamentary approval.
Ablakwa defended his actions, insisting the MoU was non-binding and based on humanitarian grounds. He revealed that the Attorney General had advised that the arrangement did not amount to an enforceable international obligation requiring prior ratification. The minister further pledged to present the document before Parliament in the future.
The development has sparked public debate, with legal experts split on whether the MoU indeed falls within the constitutional requirement for parliamentary approval. Critics argue that bypassing Parliament undermines transparency and national sovereignty, while others see it as a necessary humanitarian gesture.
The controversy has also touched on deeper issues of fairness and irony. Commentators note the sharp contrast between Ghana’s willingness to host deportees from abroad and the struggles faced by Ghanaian asylum seekers in foreign countries.
As the backlash grows, pressure is mounting on the government to clarify the legal standing of the MoU and ensure accountability in future international agreements.
Source – My News Ghana
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