Ghana’s Minister of Interior Launches Investigation Into Maltreatment of S/Leonean Woman

Following the call by High Commissioner Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba of the Sierra Leone High Commission in Ghana, for a fair and speedy investigation into the inhumane treatment given to a Sierra Leonean woman who was dragged out of her hotel to be put on a flight bound for Sierra Leone, the authorities in Ghana have decided to take action.
Rabiatu Kuyateh had been deported from the US to Ghana, under that country’s ongoing mass deportation program as part of an arrangement between Ghana and the United States to take in deportees.
Videos of her being dragged from a hotel into a minivan by officials of the Ghana Immigration Service went viral, sparking outrage among Sierra Leoneans all over the world.
Ghana’s Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has confirmed that an immediate investigation has been ordered into the incident which occurred on the 12th of November, 2025.
In an interview with media houses in Accra, the minister said he was already in touch with the Ghana Immigration Service to understand the circumstances leading to the use of force on Ms. Kuyateh as was captured in the viral video.
The Minister, who described the incident as unfortunate, disclosed that his office has instructed the Comptroller General of Ghana’s Immigration to investigate and “report back as soon as possible.”
While commending the Government through its interior minister for the investigation and a public commitment to accountability and the protection of human rights, the High Commissioner of Sierra Leone, H.E. Kaisamba, calls on the interior minister to provide the High Commission with any medical report supporting his statement which suggests that Ms. Kuyateh may have been experiencing a medical emergency and requires urgent care.
“Our position is consistent and firm: the dignity and rights of Sierra Leonean nationals must be upheld at all times, in line with international law and ECOWAS protocols,” the High Commissioner stated.
While making a call that only facts and verified information should be released for public consumption, the High Commissioner noted the distress the incident caused among Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad. He said the government of Sierra Leone is committed to provide consular protection to all Sierra Leoneans.
He urged all Sierra Leoneans to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information while the investigation proceeds and assured that updates will be shared as and when they become available.
High Commissioner Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba said the two countries share deep bilateral ties, and Sierra Leone remains committed to working collaboratively with Ghanaian authorities.
Princetta Williams, Information Attaché SLHC Accra
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