The United States has commended the John Mahama administration for its strong cooperation in combating cybercrime and facilitating extraditions, describing the collaboration as “extraordinary.”
Speaking at a roundtable discussion at the US Embassy in Accra on Friday, December 12, 2025, the US Chargé d’Affaires, Rolf Olson, praised the government of President John Dramani Mahama, the Attorney General, and the Interior Ministry for working closely with US authorities to uphold the rule of law.
“Extradition of nine individuals from Ghana in one year is an extraordinary achievement, and the cooperation with the government, obviously with the President, the Attorney General, Interior Minister, has been extraordinary. It’s been a really strong collaboration,” he said.
Mr Olson disclosed that nine Ghanaians have been extradited to the United States this year over cybercrime and related offences, including online impersonation and schemes that allegedly defrauded victims of millions of dollars.
He was joined at the event by the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for West Africa at the Bureau of African Affairs, William B. Stevens.
He clarified that extradition does not automatically result in imprisonment, stressing that suspects are entitled to due process under US law.
“We go through a formal legal process to make a request… and then are legally sent to the United States to stand trial. Everyone gets a fair trial. They’re not guilty. They will be firmly innocent until proven guilty,” he explained.
Mr Olson added that convicted persons could face prison sentences depending on the offences proven in court.
“These are the kinds of people who, obviously, if proven guilty in court, they should be in prison. They shouldn’t be out being able to take advantage of particularly older people,” he stated.
On broader cooperation, he said the US remains committed to working with Ghana to fight cybercrime and financial fraud, adding that Washington is also open to receiving extradition requests from Ghana and other countries.
“We are always open to receiving extradition requests. That is absolutely a firm part of any good bilateral relationship,” he noted, explaining that such requests are subject to judicial review and approval by US judges.
Touching on deportation, Mr Olson said illegal immigration remains a priority for President Donald Trump’s administration, leading to the removal of foreign nationals who have exhausted their legal options in the United States.
He commended Ghanaian authorities for their cooperation in receiving returning Ghanaian nationals and other West Africans, describing it as another example of effective bilateral collaboration.
