General News
Africa Must Measure Wealth by Its People, Not Resources — President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to redefine the continent’s understanding of wealth, urging nations to prioritise human capital over natural resources as the true measure of prosperity and sovereignty.
Speaking at the official opening of the 2026 Judicial Year and the 20th Anniversary of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania, President Mahama stressed that Africa’s greatest inheritance is not its vast mineral deposits but its people.
“Africa has been blessed with many of the world’s natural resources, including gold, silver, diamonds, copper, cobalt, uranium, oil, lithium and more,” he said. “At times, it becomes easy to overlook that our most significant inheritance is our people and their cultural legacies.”
The Ghanaian leader urged African nations to imagine a continent where citizens are free from oppression, conflict, persecution and violence, and assured of their fundamental rights.
“Imagine if Africa measured its wealth not by natural resources, but by its people — valued individuals, free from oppression, conflict, persecution and violence, and assured of their rights to life, dignity, liberty and self-determination. What would that look like?” he asked.
A Demographic Advantage
President Mahama highlighted Africa’s growing population as a powerful asset that must be protected and empowered through strong institutions, particularly independent judicial systems.
By 2050, he noted, Africa’s population will reach 2.5 billion, representing more than a quarter of the world’s population. By the end of the century, nearly 40 per cent of the global population will be African.
“Already, the median age on the African continent is 19,” he said. “Can we imagine the power that we hold in our hands?”
He cautioned that this demographic advantage would only translate into prosperity if African states safeguard human rights, strengthen governance, and create opportunities that prevent brain drain and instability.
Linking Human Rights to Development
President Mahama tied the continent’s economic transformation to the protection of human rights, arguing that development cannot be sustained without justice, dignity and the rule of law.
“For far too long, we have compared ourselves to the West and used what we believed were their standards as benchmarks,” he said, quoting Tanzania’s founding President Julius Nyerere: “One does not judge one’s state of health by comparing it to a sick person.”
He stressed that Africa must develop its own paradigm for democracy and governance while preserving its dignity and cultural identity.
The President also called on African Union member states that have not yet ratified the Protocol establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights to do so without delay, assuring leaders that they “have nothing to fear from this Court.”
“I humbly ask all African nations and individuals to respect and implement the Court’s judgements in good faith,” he added.
Looking Ahead
As the African Court marks 20 years of operation, President Mahama described the institution as critical to protecting the rights and dignity of African citizens beyond national borders.
“Now is the time for Africa to step into its greatness,” he declared.
The ceremony in Arusha brought together Heads of State and Government, Chief Justices, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society representatives and legal practitioners from across the continent to commemorate the Court’s milestone anniversary and officially open its 2026 Judicial Year.
The United States Embassy in Accra has announced the release of more than 2,000 additional visa interview appointments over the next two weeks for applicants seeking B1 and B2 visas.
According to the Embassy, the newly opened slots are intended to support individuals planning temporary travel to the United States for business, tourism, family visits, and participation in major international events. Among the anticipated events is the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place across North America.
In an official statement, the Embassy encouraged prospective applicants to secure interview dates as soon as possible due to sustained demand for B1 and B2 visas. These visa categories cover short-term travel for business purposes under B1 and tourism or family visits under B2.
Applicants who already have appointments scheduled later in the year are also advised to log into the visa scheduling system to check for earlier availability and, where suitable, reschedule their interviews.
The Embassy indicated that the additional appointment slots are expected to help reduce existing backlogs and provide greater flexibility for travelers with time-sensitive plans.
Further details on application procedures, requirements, and appointment scheduling are available on the Embassy’s official visa information page at: https://gh.usembassy.gov/visas/
Ghana’s telecommunications sector may soon witness increased competition in the 5G space following a move by the National Communications Authority to amend the licence of Next-Gen Infraco.
In a press release dated March 4, 2026, the regulator announced it had issued a Notice of Proposed Licence Amendment to NGIC, seeking to remove the exclusivity clause that grants the company sole rights to operate in Ghana’s 5G segment. The Authority said the action was taken pursuant to Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
If approved, the amendment would open the 5G market to other operators, allowing them to deploy the technology independently.
According to the NCA, the proposed amendment is in the public interest and intended to promote competition and innovation, enhance consumer choice and service quality, accelerate nationwide digital transformation, and ensure efficient use of spectrum as a national resource.
Under the law, the amendment will take effect 90 days from the date of the notice unless, after reviewing any representations submitted by NGIC within the statutory period, the Authority determines otherwise. The NCA emphasized that the process complies with due procedure and aligns with its mandate to regulate communications services in the national interest.
NGIC’s Commercial Rollout
The proposed regulatory change comes shortly after NGIC announced it had received clearance from the NCA to commence full commercial operations as Ghana’s wholesale 4G and 5G infrastructure provider. The company said the approval followed technical inspections confirming compliance with its Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure Licence.
NGIC has deployed 49 operational 5G sites across the country. Of these, 43 are located in Greater Accra, with the remaining sites spread across the Ashanti, Western, Northern, Bono and Central regions. The network is currently live in selected parts of Accra, Kumasi and Tamale under a wholesale-first model, where NGIC builds and manages shared radio and core infrastructure, while mobile network operators provide retail services to customers.
Chief Executive Officer Tenu Awoonor described the rollout as a transition from planning to execution, stating that the shared backbone is now commercially active and positioned for expansion. He noted that the model is designed to coordinate infrastructure investment nationally while preserving competition at the retail level.
Chief Operating Officer Nenyi George Andah said the company’s immediate focus is on scaling coverage in a coordinated and sustainable manner. He maintained that the wholesale model supports faster national reach and more efficient capital deployment.
Technology partner Nokia also reaffirmed its role in the deployment. Mustapha Salah, Head of Central West and East Africa, Mobile Networks at Nokia, said the partnership would support the rollout of Ghana’s first neutral-host 4G and 5G network, enabling operators to deliver high-speed data services and new enterprise solutions.
Licence Fee Default
In a related disclosure, the NCA indicated that NGIC is in default of an installment payment under its agreed licence fee schedule. The regulator said it is addressing the matter in accordance with applicable statutory provisions.
The combination of a potential policy shift on 5G exclusivity and concerns over fee compliance marks a significant moment for Ghana’s telecoms industry. While NGIC’s wholesale model remains central to national broadband expansion plans, the regulator’s proposed amendment signals a possible recalibration aimed at deepening competition and optimizing spectrum management.
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