General News

US Lifts Visa Restrictions on Ghana, Restores Five-Year Multiple-Entry Permits

Published

5 months ago

September 26, 2025

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that the United States has officially lifted the visa restrictions previously placed on Ghana.

In a post on his X account, Mr. Ablakwa announced that Ghanaians are once again eligible for five-year multiple-entry visas, alongside other enhanced consular benefits.

“This good news was directly communicated to me by US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, during a bilateral meeting earlier today on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. I am really pleased that months of high-level diplomatic negotiations have led to a successful outcome,” he stated.

The US had imposed restrictions in July this year, reducing visas for Ghanaians and several other countries to just three-month, single-entry permits. Washington justified the measure by citing high rates of visa overstays, especially among Ghanaian students.

Mr. Ablakwa emphasized that the reversal marks a significant step towards “healthier and stronger Ghana-USA relations.”

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General News

Accra Court Grants Bail to Woman Accused of Abducting Newborn in Mamprobi

Published

13 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Sunshynbaby

The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) District Court in Accra has granted bail to 33-year-old Latifa Salifu, who faces charges of abducting a newborn from a maternity facility in Mamprobi.

Salifu was released on a GH₵200,000 bail with two sureties during her second court appearance on Wednesday. Her lawyer, Dr Hamisu Muhammed, told the court that she would cooperate fully with investigators and would not interfere with the ongoing case.

The decision to grant bail came in the absence of the prosecutor, Ani Adjie, after the court initially considered keeping Salifu in custody.

Salifu was remanded on February 20 following the disappearance of a four-day-old infant from Mamprobi Hospital’s postnatal ward. Authorities said the public assisted in locating her after the report was filed on February 17.

Investigators allege that Salifu posed as a nurse to remove the baby, claiming she had also delivered at the hospital and left due to inadequate care. Hospital records reportedly do not support this claim.

The child’s mother, Precious Ankomah, had delivered the baby on February 14. The case remains under investigation as police continue to gather evidence ahead of further court proceedings.

General News

U.S. Embassy in Accra Opens 2,000 Additional B1/B2 Visa Appointment Slots

Published

14 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Sunshynbaby

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/

General News

NCA Proposes Removal of NGIC’s 5G Exclusivity in Potential Market Shift

Published

14 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Sunshynbaby

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.