Ghana has received a group of 14 deportees, including 13 Nigerians and one Gambian, following an arrangement with the United States, President John Dramani Mahama confirmed at a press briefing.

According to Mahama, the Nigerian deportees were immediately transported by bus to their home country, while Ghana continues to assist the Gambian national with onward travel arrangements.

“We were approached by the U.S. to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from their territory. We agreed that West African nationals would be acceptable, as they do not require visas to enter Ghana,” Mahama explained.

The president described Ghana-U.S. relations as “a tightening situation,” pointing to increased tariffs on Ghanaian exports and visa restrictions on Ghanaian nationals. However, he stressed that overall relations between both countries “remain positive.”

The development comes as part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to deter immigration through deportations to so-called “third countries.” Rights groups have criticized the approach, arguing it violates the fundamental rights of migrants.

Several African countries have resisted the U.S. push. Nigeria, for instance, has publicly opposed accepting third-country migrants deported from America. Nonetheless, others have cooperated: in July, five people were deported to Eswatini and eight to South Sudan, while Rwanda received seven deportees in August under an agreement allowing up to 250 transfers.