Charles Wiredu, former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and a current member of Parliament's Security and Intelligence Committee, has criticized the government for failing to involve Parliament in a recent agreement with the United States to accept deported West African nationals.
During a press briefing at Jubilee House on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, President John Mahama confirmed that Ghana had received 14 deportees under the arrangement. These individuals included nationals from Nigeria and one from The Gambia. He justified the move by referencing the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement, which permits citizens of member states to enter and stay in other ECOWAS countries for up to 90 days without a visa.
However, Mr. Wiredu has raised serious concerns about the legality and transparency of the agreement.
“I was taken aback when I heard the President make that announcement,” he stated in an interview. “As someone who has served as Deputy Foreign Minister and currently sits on the Security and Intelligence Committee, I can categorically say that no such agreement has ever been presented to our committee or, to my knowledge, to Parliament at all.”
He pointed to Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution, which stipulates that any international treaty or agreement entered into by the President must be submitted to Parliament for approval.
“This is not just a procedural step—it is a constitutional obligation,” he emphasized. “Bypassing Parliament in such matters undermines our democratic institutions and sets a troubling precedent.”
Mr. Wiredu called for full transparency from the executive branch and urged Parliament to exercise its constitutional authority in overseeing international agreements, particularly those with potential security and diplomatic implications.
Source: The Ghana Report
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