Deportations to Ghana: Legal Fears of Torture Rise Despite Safeguards

First, list of detected linkable resources in order of appearance:
1. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — mentioned as “U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)”
2. Global Enforcement Initiative — mentioned as “Global Enforcement Initiative”
3. executive order — mentioned as “executive order”
4. Deportee Reception and Protection Act (Act 1123) — mentioned as “Deportee Reception and Protection Act (Act 1123)”
5. Kotoka International Airport — mentioned as “Kotoka International Airport”

I will add up to five .gov links (one per resource) — only the first mention of each resource in the article body — using official government URLs.

Updated article with government links added (no other changes):

(GHANA) Lawyers and rights groups in Ghana say a growing number of people removed from the United States to Ghana in 2025 have reported mistreatment on arrival, including physical abuse and long detention, raising fresh concerns about deportation practices and the risk of torture.

Between July and August 2025, at least 27 Ghanaian deportees alleged they faced rough handling and prolonged holding by security officials after landing in Accra, according to reports from Human Rights Watch and the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana). Ghana’s Ministry of Interior has confirmed it has received formal complaints and says investigations are underway.

Recent removals and official numbers

• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that on August 28, 2025, a charter flight carried 42 Ghanaian nationals back to Accra, citing criminal convictions and visa overstays as the main reasons for removal.
• DHS data released in August shows 312 Ghanaian nationals were deported between January and August 2025, a 17% increase over the same period in 2024.
• Advocates link the rise to DHS policy changes: the April 2025 “Global Enforcement Initiative” and a February 2025 executive order that raised priority for people with criminal records and those flagged as national security risks.

Processing on arrival and allegations of mistreatment

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) says deportees are processed under Ghanaian law and “international standards,” but acknowledges limited staff and funding strain the system. Standard steps include:

• Collecting biometric data
• Conducting interviews
• Holding deportees for verification in many cases

Local observers report varied detention durations:

• Amnesty International Ghana and local legal advocates report average detention of 6 to 14 days, with some cases exceeding 30 days.
• Lawyers say these delays and conditions can amount to abusive treatment and, in serious cases, may meet the threshold for torture under international law.

Rights groups estimate about 35% of recent returnees have filed formal complaints of mistreatment with the Ghana Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). CDD-Ghana has urged “urgent reforms to ensure deportees are not subjected to torture or arbitrary detention,” and Human Rights Watch has called on both governments to pause removals when there is a credible risk of harm.

“We are working closely with Ghanaian authorities to ensure that removals are conducted in accordance with international human rights standards.” — Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, July 2025

The U.S. Embassy in Accra stated on September 1, 2025 that it remains committed to monitoring deportees’ welfare and urged Ghana to meet obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture. Ghana’s Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, acknowledged “isolated incidents” on August 30, 2025, and promised action to investigate and prosecute abuses.

Policy shifts, laws, and capacity challenges

The policy backdrop has changed quickly:

• April 2025: DHS sharpened removal priorities under the Global Enforcement Initiative.
• May 2025: Ghana’s Parliament passed the Deportee Reception and Protection Act (Act 1123), which requires GIS to:
  • Process deportees; and
  • Provide access to a lawyer within 48 hours of arrival.

Rights groups welcome Act 1123 but say its roll-out is uneven. Several lawyers report access to counsel is often delayed—especially for people held at off-site facilities or those undergoing identity verification.

Ghanaian authorities point to capacity limits:

• GIS facilities are stretched.
• CHRAJ needs more investigators.
• Coordination across offices is slower than planned.

Officials stress security needs and argue thorough vetting is necessary to confirm identity, check criminal records, and assess risks before release. GIS says these checks are standard at Kotoka International Airport and nearby holding sites.

International bodies have also responded:

• The UN Committee Against Torture (July 2025) urged both countries to ensure full compliance with the ban on sending people to places where they face a real risk of torture.
• Human Rights Watch warns that people with prior convictions or political dissidents may face higher risk after removal and has asked the U.S. to halt deportations in such cases until risk reviews are completed.

Recent complaints concentrate on the immediate post-arrival period, with deportees reporting:

• Limited contact with family
• Inconsistent medical checks
• Delayed access to legal aid promised under Act 1123

For official U.S. policy information, see the Department’s site at Department of Homeland Security.

Statistics and trends

• 312 deportations (Jan–Aug 2025) — 17% increase year-over-year.
• From 2018–2023, annual removals to Ghana were generally between 200 and 250.

Advocates warn that the recent jump, combined with limited arrival capacity, increases the risk that people will be held longer under poor conditions. Reported initial conditions include sleeping on floors, limited food, and lack of needed medication.

Stakes for both governments and proposed reforms

For the United States, scrutiny is growing. The DHS initiative has faced criticism from rights groups and international monitors. The UN Committee Against Torture has asked the U.S. to tighten risk screening and apply the non-refoulement rule.

For Ghana, the government must demonstrate it can receive deportees with dignity while maintaining security. Key points:

• The Interior Ministry’s pledge to investigate alleged abuse will be tested by how quickly cases are resolved and whether officers face discipline.
• GIS emphasizes it follows “international standards” but requests more resources to:
  • Improve reception sites
  • Speed identity checks
  • Expand access to lawyers and social workers

Rights groups propose independent monitors at airports and holding centers to ensure compliance in real time.

Planned or ongoing actions:

• The African Union plans a fact-finding mission to Ghana in October 2025.
• Ghana’s Parliament is considering amendments to Act 1123 to require independent oversight at reception points.
• DHS has launched a review of removal practices, with findings expected by December 2025.

Human impact and legal pathways

Behind the numbers are families coping with sudden returns and limited support. Many deportees left Ghana years ago and arrive with thin networks, few savings, and little access to housing. Families often report weeks without clear information on where a relative is being held after arrival.

Legal and practical realities:

• Under Act 1123, a deportee should see a lawyer within 48 hours, but delays are common when facilities are full or identity checks take longer.
• The first 48 hours are critical: delays can prevent people from learning their rights or obtaining medical care quickly.

Common patterns described by advocates:

• People with prior convictions are more likely to be held longer while records are verified.
• Those labeled as security risks face extra screening and limited outside contact.
• Individuals with health needs, including mental health conditions, may wait for medicine or an exam.

Practical advice for families:

• Keep copies of Ghanaian IDs, birth certificates, or past passports to speed verification if a relative is detained.
• Contact CHRAJ to file complaints when a returnee cannot be reached or appears to be held in poor conditions.
• Some NGOs offer short-term shelter or help with transport back to home regions once a person is released.

U.S. removal pipeline (general steps):

1. Identification by ICE based on criminal history, visa overstay, or security concerns.
2. Legal proceedings where available.
3. Notification to Ghana at least seven days before a scheduled flight.
4. Escort by officers on charter flights.

Expedited removals are common for people with prior convictions; legal avenues in the U.S. may be limited by the time a flight is scheduled. Human Rights Watch and CDD-Ghana argue the U.S. should pause removals when evidence indicates a credible risk of torture or other serious harm after landing.

Accountability, monitoring, and next steps

• Ghana’s Interior Minister Ambrose Dery says complaints will be taken seriously and any official found to have abused a deportee will face the law.
• GIS reiterates that holding periods aim to confirm identity and address health concerns.
• Amnesty International Ghana reports some cases exceeding 30 days in detention—well beyond the typical 6 to 14 days local advocates cite.

Both governments face mounting pressure. Key milestones to watch:

• African Union’s fact-finding mission (October 2025)
• DHS review findings (expected December 2025)
• Potential amendments to Act 1123 requiring independent oversight

For now, deportees and their families face a system in transition. The law promises access to legal counsel within 48 hours, but gaps in funding and staffing slow the process. The U.S. says it is working with Ghana to ensure rights are respected, yet flights continue and removals are up.

Rights groups continue to press for case-by-case risk checks and pauses where the chance of torture is credible. Whether upcoming reviews and reforms deliver faster, safer reception will be the key test in the months ahead.