The first set of Nigerians marked for deportation from the US under President Donald Trump have left America.

President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana disclosed this to reporters late Wednesday.

“A group of 14 deportees including Nigerians and one Gambian have already arrived in Ghana, and the government facilitated their return to their home countries,” Mahama said at a press conference.

He said Ghana had already facilitated the return of the Nigerians to their country by bus while the Gambian was still being assisted to return home.

“We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US. And we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable,” Mahama said.

“All our fellow West African nationals don’t need visas to come to our country.”

Mahama described Ghana-US relations as a “tightening situation”, citing the hiked US tariffs on Ghanaian goods and visa restrictions on its nationals.

He however said relations remained positive.

The Trump administration has approached a number of African countries to accept deportees as part of its push to deter immigration.

Some of those deported have been citizens of countries such as Jamaica, Vietnam and Laos, with rights groups arguing that this violated their basic rights.

Some countries have pushed back against the deportation strategy.

Nigeria, which has been a vocal opponent, has previously said it would not bow to pressure to accept third-country migrants from the US.

The Trump administration has approached a number of African governments about accepting deportees as part of its campaign to deter immigration through high-profile deportations to so-called “third countries.”

In July the U.S. deported five individuals to Eswatini and eight others to South Sudan.

Rwanda received seven migrants deported from the United States in August, weeks after the two countries reached an agreement for the transfer of up to 250 people. (Daily Trust)

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