Yendi MP insists US deportee deal must go before Parliament
His position contrasts with that of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who recently clarified that the MoU does not need immediate parliamentary approval, stressing it is not a treaty but an executive-level arrangement.
Yendi legislator Abdul-Fatawu Alhassan has argued that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Ghana and the United States on deportations qualifies as an international agreement and therefore requires ratification by Parliament under the Constitution.
His position contrasts with that of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who recently clarified that the MoU does not need immediate parliamentary approval, stressing it is not a treaty but an executive-level arrangement.
The pact has sparked debate following the arrival of 14 deportees from the United States, some of whom were nationals of Nigeria and The Gambia. The development triggered concerns over the legal basis for the arrangement and the extent of parliamentary oversight.
Opposition voices, including former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Charles Owiredu, have demanded more openness and engagement with oversight committees such as Parliament’s Security and Intelligence Committee.
Speaking on Channel One’s Newsroom programme on Thursday, September 18, Alhassan remarked:
“I think it is something that has to come to Parliament for us to ratify because it is an international agreement and international agreements can come in various shapes and forms. It can be by MoU, it can be by any means or form.”
He rejected arguments that the format of the agreement is enough reason to bypass legislative approval.
“I don’t think the nature or the structure of it should excuse it from being captured under Article 75. So I feel that agreement [should come to Parliament]. It is not too late.”
The MP suggested that the recess of Parliament might explain why the document has not yet been tabled but said it could still be considered once the House reconvenes.
“It is our advice that even when it is late, still bring it; we will give it that post facto ratification. Maybe it is also because Parliament is on recess…I foresee that when Parliament comes back from recess this may be brought for post facto ratification.”
Meanwhile, Ablakwa has indicated that Ghana is set to receive another 40 deportees from the US in the coming days.
