A disturbing scene unfolded at the VICSEM Hotel in Ogbojo, Accra, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, when officers from the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) forcibly removed a group of deportees who had recently arrived from the United States.
According to eyewitnesses, the group—comprising more than 20 individuals from different West African countries—had been temporarily lodged at the hotel after being deported under a U.S.–Ghana repatriation arrangement. Tensions erupted when immigration officers arrived to relocate them to a different facility, sparking resistance from some of the deportees.
Videos circulating online captured moments of chaos as officers were seen dragging one of the women out of the hotel amid loud protests. The woman, identified as a registered nurse who had spent over three decades in the U.S., pleaded to remain in Ghana, claiming she had no immediate family in her home country. Her emotional outburst drew sympathy from bystanders, who questioned the manner in which the relocation was being carried out.
Witnesses said the woman collapsed during the scuffle and reportedly suffered an asthma attack, prompting emergency intervention from hotel staff and other deportees. Immigration officials eventually placed her in a vehicle and drove away, despite protests from onlookers.
Sources close to the Ghana Immigration Service confirmed that the operation was part of a routine relocation process but admitted that the situation “escalated unexpectedly.” Authorities have yet to release an official statement explaining why force was used or providing details about the individuals’ current whereabouts.
The incident has since sparked public outrage and calls for an investigation into the treatment of deportees. Human rights advocates have condemned the heavy-handed approach, describing it as “inhumane and unacceptable.” Several activists have urged the government to ensure that returnees are treated with dignity and that their safety and welfare are prioritized.
“This situation highlights the urgent need for Ghana to review how deportees are handled upon arrival,” said a legal analyst in Accra. “Regardless of their immigration status, they are still human beings who deserve respect and humane treatment.”
The deportation and repatriation process between Ghana and the United States has been ongoing for several years, with both countries agreeing to cooperate on returning nationals who overstay their visas or violate immigration laws. However, this latest incident has reignited debate about Ghana’s capacity to receive, process, and reintegrate deportees in a dignified manner.
As of Wednesday, the Ghana Immigration Service has not provided further clarification on whether disciplinary action will be taken against the officers involved. Meanwhile, social media users continue to circulate the viral video, demanding accountability and transparency from authorities.
For now, the fate of the affected deportees remains unclear, as civil society groups push for independent monitoring of their welfare and the broader treatment of returnees under international human rights conventions.
Source: Thepressradio.com
