A disturbing video circulating on social media has sparked outrage among Sierra Leoneans after it showed a woman, identified as Rabiatu Kuyateh, being violently dragged by Ghanaian authorities following her deportation from the United States.
The viral footage, which has been widely shared on Facebook, X (Twitter), and WhatsApp, depicts Kuyateh screaming and resisting as security personnel in Ghana forcibly escort her from what appears to be an immigration facility. The incident has triggered a wave of anger, with many Sierra Leoneans condemning what they describe as “inhumane and degrading treatment.”
According to reports, Rabiatu Kuyateh had lived in the United States for several years before being deported under the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, whose immigration policies led to the mass deportation of Africans without proper reintegration measures.
Sources suggest that Kuyateh was among several Africans deported to Ghana, which has been one of the countries designated by U.S. immigration authorities as a receiving hub for deportees from across the continent.
It remains unclear why she was sent to Ghana instead of Sierra Leone, her country of origin. This has fueled public speculation and outrage over the coordination between U.S. and Ghanaian authorities in processing deportations.
The video has drawn hundreds of angry reactions online, with Sierra Leoneans demanding immediate intervention from their government. Many have called the act “shameful,” “disrespectful,” and “an assault on national dignity.”
“This is unacceptable. The government of Sierra Leone must demand answers from Ghana for the humiliation of our sister,” one Facebook user wrote.
“Why was she deported to Ghana in the first place? This is a national disgrace,” another commented.
The outrage has also reignited discussions about the lack of protection for Sierra Leonean nationals abroad and the country’s limited diplomatic presence in cases involving deportations and immigration-related abuses.
Civil society voices and online commentators have urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to engage the Ghanaian authorities and investigate the circumstances surrounding Kuyateh’s treatment.
Some activists are also demanding that Sierra Leone’s government formally request her transfer to Freetown and issue a statement condemning any acts of violence against its citizens, whether at home or abroad.
“Silence from our leaders at a time like this would be shameful. Every Sierra Leonean deserves dignity, regardless of where they find themselves,” a human rights advocate posted on X.
