General News
Mahama Reflects on Father’s Detention, Reaffirms Lifelong Dedication to Justice and Human Rights
President John Dramani Mahama delivered a profoundly introspective and emotionally resonant keynote address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Judicial Year and the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania, where he recounted how the detention of his father in the aftermath of Ghana’s 1966 military coup indelibly shaped his philosophical commitment to justice, constitutionalism, and the sanctity of human dignity.
Addressing an august gathering of African Heads of State, eminent jurists, diplomatic envoys, and representatives of civil society, President Mahama situated his remarks within both personal history and continental political experience, arguing that Africa’s democratic trajectory must be fortified by resilient institutions capable of safeguarding civil liberties against arbitrary exercises of power.
“I remain the child whose father was detained for serving his country and advising its leader,” he remarked, invoking his family’s experience as a symbolic representation of the human consequences of political instability and constitutional ruptures that characterized many post-independence African states.
The President observed that early exposure to the ramifications of political upheaval profoundly influenced his appreciation of institutional accountability and the fragility of fundamental rights in environments where judicial safeguards are weakened. He emphasized that the denial of justice to any individual inevitably produces cascading social consequences that extend beyond the immediate victim.
“When injustice is visited upon one person, it does not terminate with that individual,” he stated solemnly. “Rather, it reverberates through families, communities, and sometimes across successive generations.”
Mahama underscored that his political and humanitarian convictions were largely forged by these formative experiences, which reinforced his steadfast advocacy for judicial independence, procedural fairness, and the protection of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms. He stressed that governance systems must be designed to guarantee the right to fair hearing and equitable treatment under the law.
“It is precisely because of such lived experiences that I hold such strong conviction in due process, in the inviolability of the right to be heard, and in the protection of fundamental human rights,” he affirmed. “No citizen should be compelled to endure injustice simply because the institutions entrusted with safeguarding them have failed in their duty.”
Turning his attention to the broader African political landscape, President Mahama argued that the continent’s historical encounters with coups d’état, unlawful detentions, and abrupt constitutional interruptions should serve as enduring reminders of the imperative to strengthen democratic governance structures. He warned that sustainable development on the continent remains intrinsically linked to the consolidation of rule-based governance and judicial autonomy.
“Our continent’s historical experience teaches us that justice cannot be relegated to chance or political convenience,” he said. “Justice must be deliberately constructed, carefully protected, and firmly anchored in institutions that are impartial, independent, and resilient to political interference.”
He further praised the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights as a vital continental institution dedicated to protecting fundamental freedoms and ensuring state accountability under the provisions of the Banjul Charter. According to him, the Court represents not only a legal mechanism but also a moral symbol of Africa’s collective determination to uphold human rights standards.
“For me, this is not an abstract legal discourse,” President Mahama concluded. “This is deeply personal. It is about ensuring that no child in Africa must grow up witnessing a parent suffer injustice without the possibility of legal redress.”
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.
“I’m Not Dead” — Paa George Breaks Silence on Recurring Death Hoax
Accra Court Grants Bail to Woman Accused of Abducting Newborn in Mamprobi
Afenyo-Markin Retracts Fraud Allegations Against Interior Minister Over Security Recruitment
-
Entertainment1 week ago[EDITORIAL] Praised in Victory, Crucified in Defeat: The Ghanaian Fanbase Paradox
-
Sports6 days ago2026 FIFA World Cup: President Mahama tasks supporters to return immediately after the tournament
-
Business7 days agoThirdWell launches Inclusive Business Centre to support Accredited Inclusive Businesses in Ghana
-
Entertainment3 days agoTHE INSIDE STORY: Why President Mahama Revoked Gideon Nii Aryeequaye’s Appointment as Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency
-
Entertainment6 days agoSONA: GH¢20m for Film Sector, GH¢20m for Creative Industries — Mahama Announces Major Investment
-
Sports1 week agoBREAKING: Salary Crisis hits Tension at Eleven Wonders Camp for the second time
-
General News1 week agoPolice Arrest Two in Agona Swedru With 209 Slabs of Suspected Narcotics, Reject GH₵100,000 Bribe
-
General News2 weeks agoMahama: We’ll increase efforts to clean polluted water bodies and reclaim mined lands