Ghanaian LGBTQ+ Women Deported to Cameroon: A Story of Resilience and the Fight for Safety

Three Ghanaian women who fled the country seeking safety from persecution over their sexual orientation have shared a harrowing account of being shackled and deported from the United States to Cameroon, a country they had no connection to. Their story, reported by DW, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and raises important questions about international asylum policies.

What happened to the Ghanaian women in the US?

The women, members of Ghana's LGBTQ+ community, arrived in the United States in 2024 to seek asylum. US immigration authorities initially granted them legal protection, preventing their deportation back to Ghana. However, in January 2026, they were among 36 migrants deported to Cameroon under a US third-country deportation agreement, despite having no ties to the African nation.

How were the women treated during deportation?

One of the women described the traumatic experience of being transported to Cameroon in chains.

“You couldn't move, and it felt like we had committed some kind of crime, like terrorism. I felt like a terrorist because what on earth did I do to be shackled like that to the point that I couldn't move. I just came to the US for safety. I didn't expect that at all,” she said.

Another woman expressed her heartbreak at the treatment, stating,

“We are not criminals. We entered America to be safe. If we were safe in our country, we wouldn't have gone to the US to seek asylum, and this is so heartbreaking because you can't treat human beings like this. We are treated like we are slaves. We don't have life anymore, and Cameroon is not a safe country.”

What is the current situation for the deportees in Cameroon?

The 36 deportees were detained for about two months in a government compound in Yaounde, Cameroon's capital. They were only allowed to leave after staging a hunger strike. Currently, they must return to the compound by sundown and are not permitted to work while their asylum applications are pending.

What are the legal concerns surrounding this deportation?

Fru Joseph, the lawyer representing the deportees, voiced serious concerns about the women's safety.

“You cannot send somebody to harm that they are fleeing from, and so that's the concern with this special group of people. Because they are not only vulnerable, they are doubly victimized because they are running away from a country that has persecuted them, and then now they are being sent to a country they do not know that still has the possibility of persecuting them. That makes it even doubly dangerous,” he said.

What does this mean for Ghana and the diaspora?

This incident underscores the critical importance of creating safe and inclusive environments in Ghana for all citizens. It also highlights the need for transparent and humane international asylum policies. For the Ghanaian diaspora, this story is a call to advocate for the rights and dignity of all Ghanaians, regardless of their background. The resilience of these women is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and their fight for safety and recognition must not be in vain. As Ghana continues to grow and develop, ensuring the protection and inclusion of every citizen is not just a legal obligation, but a moral one that will define our nation's future.