General News
Ghana Elected First Vice Chair of African Union at 39th AU Summit
Ghana has been elected First Vice Chair of the African Union (AU) for 2026 at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, currently underway at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
The two-day summit, held under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” opened with strong calls for African solidarity, financial independence, institutional reform, and a united continental voice in shaping global affairs.
New AU Leadership for 2026
During the session, Heads of State elected H.E. President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi as Chairperson of the African Union for 2026, succeeding Angola’s President João Lourenço.
The newly constituted Bureau of the Assembly for 2026 is as follows:
Chairperson: Republic of Burundi (Central Africa)
First Vice Chair: Ghana (West Africa)
Second Vice Chair: Tanzania (East Africa)
Third Vice Chair: To be confirmed (North Africa)
Rapporteur: Angola (Southern Africa)
Ghana’s election as First Vice Chair underscores the country’s growing diplomatic influence and active role in continental affairs.
Call for Reform and Financial Self-Reliance
Addressing the Assembly, Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, framed the summit around water security, describing access to water and sanitation as a collective public good essential for development and peace.
He noted that the summit is taking place amid mounting geopolitical tensions, persistent conflicts, institutional fragility, and a resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government in parts of Africa.
“Institutional reform and financial self-reliance are now imperative as external funding declines,” he stated, urging Member States to strengthen domestic resource mobilization and accelerate the implementation of flagship Agenda 2063 programmes, including industrialization, agricultural transformation, energy development, and infrastructure expansion.
He also emphasized the need to meet rising expectations from Africa’s youth, women, and civil society, stressing that this decisive decade of Agenda 2063 must deliver measurable and tangible results.
Peace, Security and “Silencing the Guns”
Outgoing AU Chairperson and President of Angola, H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, officially opened the summit, describing access to water as a political, moral, and strategic priority for Africa’s development, public health, food security, and stability.
Reflecting on Angola’s tenure, he highlighted progress in advancing Agenda 2063, mobilizing infrastructure investment, strengthening the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and improving AU institutional efficiency.
On peace and security, President Lourenço stressed that Africa’s development depends on “silencing the guns,” citing ongoing conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as terrorism in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. He reaffirmed the AU’s firm rejection of unconstitutional changes of government and cautioned against legitimizing coups through subsequent elections.
Africa’s Global Role and Technological Future
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called on Africa to transition from reacting to global developments to actively shaping the global agenda as the AU approaches its 25th anniversary.
He emphasized unity, confidence, and greater continental influence, noting that true sovereignty includes owning Africa’s narrative and technological future. He highlighted Ethiopia’s establishment of an Artificial Intelligence institute and plans to launch an AI university as part of that vision.
Strengthening UN–AU Partnership
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the importance of deepening the strategic partnership between the UN and the AU, describing multilateral cooperation as essential to achieving peace, security, and sustainable development.
He reiterated support for reforming the UN Security Council to ensure stronger African representation and emphasized the need for equitable access to financing, industrialization, and sustainable development support for African nations.
Focus on Water Security
The 39th AU Summit continues with high-level deliberations centered on water security and sanitation, alongside pressing peace and security concerns across the continent.
The election of Ghana as First Vice Chair further positions the country at the heart of continental decision-making as Africa pursues institutional reform, financial autonomy, and the transformative vision of Agenda 2063.
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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