Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has assured the public that the Ghana South Africa Visa-Free Travel arrangement remains in force, dismissing reports claiming that Ghana has been removed from South Africa’s visa waiver programme.

The clarification follows false reports circulating on traditional and social media suggesting that Ghanaian citizens can no longer travel to South Africa without visas.

Addressing the issue, Mr Ablakwa said the reports were inaccurate and urged Ghanaians to disregard the claims.

“I also wish to address reports that circulated on traditional and social media alleging that Ghana had been removed from South Africa’s visa-free travel arrangement,” the minister stated.

He explained that South African authorities had also confirmed that no decision had been taken to terminate the agreement, which operates on a reciprocal basis between the two countries.

“As the South African authorities have themselves indicated, no such decision has been taken on this matter, which is governed by an agreement applicable on a reciprocal basis,” he said.

The Foreign Affairs Minister stressed that the existing reciprocal visa waiver agreement between Ghana and South Africa remains fully operational.

“The government therefore wishes to state categorically that the existing reciprocal visa waiver agreement between Ghana and South Africa remains fully in force.”

He added that Ghanaians should ignore any information suggesting that they have lost their right to visa-free travel to South Africa.

“The public should therefore disregard reports suggesting that Ghanaian citizens have lost the benefit of visa-free travel to South Africa.”

Mr Ablakwa further noted that any changes to the bilateral travel arrangement would only be announced through official diplomatic channels and jointly communicated by both governments.

“Any amendment to bilateral travel arrangements will be communicated formally through diplomatic channels and announced jointly by the two governments.”

The minister, however, warned that Ghana would take reciprocal action if South Africa decides to remove Ghana from the visa-free arrangement in the future.

“If Ghana is taken out of the free visa arrangement, Ghana will also have no option but to immediately reciprocate. That is how these agreements work.”

He called on the public to remain calm and avoid spreading false information about Ghana’s travel relationship with South Africa.

“We urge the public to stay calm and not to fall for this misinformation and disinformation in wide circulation,” he concluded.

The assurance comes as Ghana prepares to repatriate about 1,000 Ghanaians from South Africa following reported xenophobic attacks and rising anti-immigration sentiments among some sections of the South African population.

Video credit@ChannelOne Tv

Kasoa NDC Delegates Storm Police Command after National Democratic Congress (NDC) delegates and party supporters in the Awutu Senya East Constituency protested at the Kasoa Divisional Police Command over the alleged arrest of the party’s Zongo Ward Youth Organiser

The supporters claim the arrest was ordered by the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Hon. Phillis Naa Koryoo, over comments the youth organiser allegedly made against her.

According to the aggrieved party members, the youth organiser committed no offence but merely expressed his opinion that the MP could be defeated in the NDC’s upcoming internal constituency elections.

Speaking to the media, the supporters accused the MP of using the police to intimidate and silence party executives and members who criticise her leadership or seek to hold her accountable.

They also compared the situation to the tenure of former Awutu Senya East MP Hawa Koomson, arguing that despite strong criticism and offensive remarks directed at her by NDC supporters while the party was in opposition, no arrests were made.

The protesters insisted that party members should be allowed to freely express their opinions, especially ahead of the NDC’s internal elections.

Meanwhile, the Constituency Secretary of the NDC in Awutu Senya East, Oteng Pabi, appealed for calm among party supporters.

He said he was surprised by reports of party members being arrested and harassed but assured supporters that the constituency executives would work to ensure the matter is resolved peacefully.

Oteng Pabi urged all party members to remain calm and allow the party leadership and relevant authorities to address the issue through the appropriate channels.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the final review of Ghana’s US$3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme, marking the successful completion of the bailout programme introduced in May 2023 following the country’s 2022 economic crisis.

The approval unlocks a final disbursement of approximately US$371 million to the Bank of Ghana, bringing total disbursements under the programme to US$3 billion.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the successful conclusion of the programme reflects Ghana’s significant progress in restoring macroeconomic stability through fiscal discipline, lower inflation, stronger external reserves, and the implementation of key structural reforms.

With the ECF programme now concluded, Ghana will transition to a 36-month Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) with the IMF. Unlike the ECF, the PCI is a non-financing arrangement designed to support the government’s ongoing reform agenda and reinforce confidence in the country’s economic policies without providing additional financial assistance.

The government expressed gratitude to the people of Ghana for their resilience, patience, and support throughout the implementation of the reform programme.

It also thanked the IMF Executive Board, IMF Management and Staff, development partners, civil society organisations, and the private sector for their continued support during the programme.

The Ministry of Finance reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the gains made under the ECF programme and pursuing reforms aimed at building a stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous economy for all Ghanaians.

The government’s Women’s Development Bank has emerged as one of the lowest-rated flagship policies in a new nationwide survey conducted by Global InfoAnalytics, with respondents assigning the initiative an average score of 4.6 out of 10.

The rating suggests that although the policy remains one of the government’s key programmes aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs and businesses, many Ghanaians are yet to fully embrace its expected impact and implementation.

The findings were published in the Longitudinal National Telephone Tracking Poll – Baseline, conducted from July 15 to July 24, 2026, involving 7,761 registered voters across Ghana’s 16 regions.

Respondents were asked to rate six major government policies, with the Women’s Development Bank recording 4.6 out of 10.

The initiative ranked as the second-lowest rated policy, ahead of only the 24-Hour Economy, which received a score of 4.2 out of 10.

The ranking of the policies was as follows:

• No-Academic-Fee Policy – 6.1/10
• $10 Billion Big Push – 6.0/10
• Tax Reliefs – 5.8/10
• National Apprenticeship & Adwumawura Programme – 5.5/10
• Women’s Development Bank – 4.6/10
• 24-Hour Economy – 4.2/10

The results indicate that the Women’s Development Bank has not yet gained the same level of public approval as some other government initiatives measured in the survey.

Despite the lower rating for some policies, the poll showed that President John Dramani Mahama continues to enjoy significant public support.

According to Global InfoAnalytics:

• 72% of respondents approved of President Mahama’s performance.
• 21% disapproved of his performance.
• 7% had no opinion.

The survey also revealed that 60% of respondents believe Ghana is moving in the right direction, while 53% said their living standards have improved compared to the previous year.

Longitudinal National Telephone Tracking Poll – Baseline was conducted through Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) involving 7,761 registered voters from all 16 regions of Ghana.

The project is designed to track changes in public opinion over time, with the same respondents expected to be contacted every two months.

The survey reported a 99% confidence level with a margin of error of ±1.5%.

Speical Telephone Longitudinal oll- Baseline 2026-FINAL