Ghana is preparing to host more than 500 delegates from across West Africa and the global diaspora as Accra welcomes the 12th District 94 Conference of Toastmasters International. The four-day event, themed Lead With Purpose, Speak to Impact, is scheduled to run from April 29 to May 2, 2026.

The conference will officially open at Destiny Arena, with additional sessions and activities taking place at selected venues across the capital. Delegates are expected from over 12 West African countries, alongside participants from Central Africa, Europe, and the wider diaspora. Countries represented include Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and host nation Ghana.

Positioned as a major platform for leadership and communication development, the conference will address key global and regional issues such as the rise of artificial intelligence, cultural transformation, and evolving geopolitical trends. The programme features keynote speeches, leadership masterclasses, panel discussions, speech contests, and networking sessions aimed at strengthening participants’ public speaking and leadership skills.

District 94 Director, Fatou Sakho, described the event as more than a traditional conference, highlighting its role as a meeting point for culture, innovation, and purpose. She noted that Accra 2026 represents an opportunity for Africa to demonstrate its leadership voice on a global stage.

Conference Chair, Suzy Aku Puplampu, emphasized the significance of Ghana hosting the event for the second time in seven years, following the 2018 edition. According to her, the conference reflects the growing influence of Toastmasters across the West African region.

Programme Quality Director, Ibrahim Sory Keita, added that participants will experience more than professional development, with organisers planning to showcase Ghana’s renowned hospitality through curated cultural and social activities.

Veteran Ghanaian Toastmaster, Papa Arkhurst, noted that the conference presents a unique opportunity to highlight Africa’s leadership potential, the Toastmasters tradition of developing communicators, and Ghana’s welcoming “Akwaaba” spirit.

The event will conclude with the International Speech Contest and International Evaluation Speech Contest, where top speakers from across the region will compete for top honours. Additional highlights include tourism experiences, networking events, and a Hall of Fame Recognition Ceremony and Gala Night celebrating excellence in leadership and public speaking.

The conference will also feature contributions from prominent figures in business and law, including Alhassan Andani, David Dorte, Julian Opuni, and Kwamina Asomaning.

As anticipation builds, the Accra 2026 Toastmasters Conference is expected to stand out as one of the continent’s leading leadership gatherings, bringing together emerging and established voices to exchange ideas, build networks, and inspire meaningful change.

Thousands of undocumented Ghanaian migrants living in Spain are set to benefit from a sweeping new immigration reform introduced by the Spanish government to regularise the status of irregular migrants and asylum seekers.

The policy, announced by Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, targets undocumented immigrants who have resided in the country for at least five months prior to December 31, 2025. It is expected to benefit up to 500,000 migrants nationwide, including a significant number of Ghanaians.

Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed the development during an engagement with members of the Ghanaian community in Vic, Spain. His visit followed bilateral talks with Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares Bueno, held on the sidelines of the Fourth Meeting in Defence of Democracy in Barcelona.

The regularisation exercise, which began on April 16, 2026, is scheduled to run until the end of June. It marks Spain’s most comprehensive immigration reform in over two decades, aimed at integrating migrants already contributing to the country’s economy into the formal legal framework.

Under the policy, successful applicants will be granted an initial one-year residence permit, providing a pathway into Spain’s legal immigration system. After this period, beneficiaries may transition into standard residence arrangements under existing immigration laws, although this does not automatically lead to permanent residency.

The reform also grants migrants the right to work legally across Spain, enabling access to formal employment contracts and reducing reliance on the informal sector. Authorities say the initiative will help curb labour exploitation while offering legal protection to both workers and employers.

Children of applicants already residing in Spain will receive five-year residence permits, a move expected to enhance family stability. Beneficiaries will also be enrolled in Spain’s social security system, granting access to labour protections, pension contributions and other employment-related benefits.

However, the policy does not confer automatic citizenship or voting rights. Migrants must meet existing requirements for Spanish nationality, including a minimum of 10 years of legal residence, with shorter periods applicable to certain nationalities and recognised refugees.

Describing the initiative as “inclusive, tolerant and forward-looking,” Mr Ablakwa said the policy would safeguard the rights of Ghanaian migrants while opening up employment opportunities.

“This is a win-win policy that not only ensures dignity and legal status for migrants but also addresses Spain’s ageing population and promotes economic growth through remittances and skills development,” he said.

The minister further indicated that the Government of Ghana would support applicants by facilitating access to required documentation, particularly police clearance certificates. Applicants must demonstrate a clean criminal record in their home country to qualify.

“We are working with the Ghana Police Service, which has designated an officer to assist the Ghanaian community here with the application process. The aim is to ensure swift processing of criminal record forms to enable our citizens to benefit fully from this opportunity,” he explained.

Mr Ablakwa also disclosed that Ghana and Spain were strengthening cooperation in areas such as maritime security and labour mobility, with plans to formalise agreements that would create additional employment pathways for Ghanaians abroad.

Members of the Ghanaian community in Spain have welcomed the policy. Emmanuel Kwabena Amponsah, an undocumented migrant, described the reform as a relief, noting that it would ease fears of deportation and improve working conditions.

“I have lived here for over a year in uncertainty. This policy gives us peace of mind and a chance to work legally,” he said.

Another migrant, Sarah Mensah, urged authorities to expedite the processing of required documents, particularly police clearance certificates, to ensure that eligible applicants do not miss the opportunity.

The reform is widely seen as a significant step in addressing irregular migration while strengthening Spain’s labour force and promoting social inclusion.

The Government of Ghana has announced a temporary intervention to absorb part of the cost of petroleum products, in a move aimed at cushioning consumers from rising fuel prices driven by global market volatility.

Effective April 16, 2026, the government will absorb GH¢2.00 per litre on diesel and GH¢0.36 per litre on petrol during the next pricing window. The measure is expected to ease the financial burden on households, transport operators, and businesses already grappling with increasing operational costs.

The decision, approved by Cabinet, comes in response to sustained increases in international oil prices, which have significantly impacted ex-pump prices across the country.

In a statement issued by the Minister for Government Communications and Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the intervention was described as a short-term relief strategy to support Ghanaians amid external economic pressures.

The government indicated that the measure will remain in force for one month, during which it will closely monitor developments in the global oil market and assess the need for further policy adjustments.

Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining price stability, protecting livelihoods, and supporting Ghana’s broader economic recovery in the face of ongoing global uncertainties.