Welcome to TW’s Daily Briefing.
Today’s highlights: Ablakwa Confirms 156 Ghanaians Facing Deportation from U.S., Four lawmakers suspended after fight in Ghana’s parliament, Ablakwa to Implement Bawumia’s Ghana Card Passport Proposal.
US To Deport 156 Ghanaians
DAILY GUIDE—The Minister-Designate for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has indicated that a total of 156 Ghanaians are facing imminent deportation from the United States.
Taking his turn before the Appointments Committee in Parliament today, he clarified reports suggesting a mass deportation of 6,200 individuals from the US under President Donald Trump.
He also assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working closely with U.S. authorities to safeguard the rights and dignity of affected Ghanaians.
“There have been publications that about 6,200 Ghanaians will be affected by the mass deportation by the United States. But from the brief that has been shared with me from the officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they allay fears that the numbers are not that high and that currently, the official communication the ministry has received from Washington DC is 156, not 6,200, which face imminent deportation,” he stated.
Since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested more than 3,500 unauthorized immigrants across the country.
The Trump administration has also begun deportation flights, using U.S. military aircraft to transport migrants to their countries of origin.
Four lawmakers suspended after fight in Ghana’s parliament
Four lawmakers in Ghana’s Parliament have been suspended after exchanging punches during a ministerial screening process.
The legislative process on Thursday saw the ministerial screening committee members destroy furniture in the chambers.
They had gathered from across parties to screen lawmakers from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) nominated to become ministers.
The NDC accused the NPP members and their leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin of excessively questioning the nominees for a political score.
They also complained that Samuel Nartey George, nominated for communications minister, was questioned for more than five hours.
The following event was a brawl, leading to the destruction of microphones and other valuables in the chambers.
This prompted the Speaker of the Parliamentary, Alban Bagbin, to suspend four lawmakers, saying their action was a“gross affront to the dignity of Parliament but also a blatant contempt of the House.”
Bawumia’s idea on using Ghana Card for passport applications to be implemented by Ablakwa
GHANAWEB—Foreign Affairs Minister-designate Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has embraced former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s proposal to use the Ghana Card as the sole requirement for passport applications.
Dr. Bawumia had argued that Ghana’s national identity system already captures all necessary biometric data, making additional processes unnecessary. He pledged that under his presidency, Ghanaians would be able to apply for passports from home using their Ghana Card.
Appearing before the Appointments Committee on January 31, 2025, Ablakwa supported the idea, stating, “If you have a Ghana Card, we should be able to interface. It should be possible to sit at home and apply for your passport.”
His endorsement, which aligns with the 2024 NPP manifesto, has sparked social media reactions, with many praising Bawumia’s foresight.
