The U.S. Embassy in Ghana has announced that in 2024, it granted visas to about 25,000 Ghanaians, selected from a pool of 61,000 applicants.
This information came to light during the Embassy’s Consular Media Day, held on Friday, May 9.
The purpose of the event was to simplify the visa process for the public, shed light on improvements made to enhance the application experience, and explain existing U.S. visa regulations.
Speaking at the event, U.S. Consular General Elliot Fertik reiterated the Embassy’s dedication to providing a clear, efficient, and stress-free visa application process for Ghanaians.
“We continue to welcome visitors from Ghana who are interested in studying, investing, or doing business in the US. Last year, the US embassy issued 25,000 visas to Ghanaians for work, study, or visit to the US. But with entry to the US, visa applicants or holders must follow our laws,” he stated.
Fertik also emphasized the United States’ strict policies on illegal immigration, cautioning would-be travelers against using dishonest methods to gain entry.
“The US has zero tolerance for illegal immigrants. Those who break the rules will face the law, including visa refusal or outright ban from entering the US.
“We want to make sure that Ghanaians understand the proper way of applying for visas and what is expected of them when applying for visas,” he stated.
The U.S. Embassy in Ghana has promised to take action regarding the delays students are facing in obtaining expedited student visas.
Several students have voiced concerns about the long processing times, which could result in missed academic deadlines and hinder their ability to pursue education abroad. In response, they are calling for urgent intervention to resolve the delays and speed up the process.
In an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on December 19, Stacy Comp, the Visa Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, assured Bernard Avle that she would look into the matter and ensure it is resolved. She recognized the frustration of the students and emphasized that the embassy was committed to finding a solution.
Stacy Comp also indicated that she would gather a full list of students waiting for expedited appointments to help prioritize their applications.
“I can assure you that I am going to take this issue back and go into the system and see what is going on and contact our third-party contractor to see what the problem is, and I will also ask for the list of students who have been sitting on this expedited student visa appointment queue, and then I will look at them and see if we can try to accommodate their request.
“I can only apologise for this issue with our third-party contractor and reassure you that we really appreciate the interest in studying in the United States and that the ability to have these bilateral exchanges is foundational to the US-Ghana relationship.”
A total of 9,394 Ghanaians are currently enrolled in U.S. universities for the 2023-2024 academic year, marking a new record.
This statistic was revealed in the 2024 Open Doors Report, which was published by the U.S. Embassy in Accra. According to the embassy, Ghana ranks 18th among the top 25 countries contributing international students to the United States in 2024.
The report highlights a significant 45.2% increase from the previous year, setting a new all-time high for the number of Ghanaians studying in the U.S. The total number of students has risen sharply, reflecting growing interest in education abroad.
In particular, Ghana holds the 9th spot for sending graduate students to the U.S., with 6,337 individuals pursuing graduate degrees this year, which marks a 54% rise from the previous academic year.
Additionally, Ghanaian students secured nearly $9.2 million in scholarships, funding their studies across more than 680 institutions nationwide.
“Ghanaian students earned nearly $9.2 million in scholarships to more than 680 higher educational institutions in all 50 U.S. states,” the embassy wrote.
The report further reveals a general rise in the number of graduate students, with a 13% increase from 50,199 in 2022-2023 to 56,199 in 2023-2024.
In a momentous step towards strengthening international relations, the Embassy of Ukraine has been formally established in the vibrant city of Accra.
This historic event, attended by dignitaries and representatives from both nations, underscores a renewed dedication to promoting cooperation and mutual understanding between Ukraine and Ghana on the global platform.
Against the backdrop of the newly constructed embassy building, adorned with the flags of both countries, diplomats from Ukraine and Ghana convened to commemorate this significant occasion.
Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Middle East and Africa, Dr. Maksym Subh, expressed appreciation for the warm welcome extended by the Ghanaian hosts and underscored the embassy’s pivotal role in enhancing bilateral relations.
“In opening our resident embassy in Accra, we aim to forge stronger ties between Ukraine and Ghana across various domains, from political engagement to economic collaboration and consular services,” remarked Dr. Maksym Subh, reflecting the shared aspirations of both nations for deeper engagement and partnership.
“In the face of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ghana stands firm in supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and upholding global peace and security,” affirmed Kwaku Ampra-Twum Sarpong, highlighting Ghana’s commitment to international norms and principles.
The spirit of cooperation and solidarity was echoed by Kwaku Ampra-Twum Sarpong, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, who reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The official establishment of the Ukrainian embassy not only signifies a physical presence in Accra but also marks the initiation of a new era in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
With shared aspirations for economic prosperity, mutual cooperation, and peace, Ukraine and Ghana are poised to embark on a journey of collaboration and camaraderie that transcends geographical boundaries.
As the ceremony concluded with optimism and anticipation, delegates from both nations reiterated their commitment to deepening bilateral ties and exploring avenues for mutual benefit, heralding a promising future of partnership and mutual respect.
The inauguration of the Embassy of Ukraine in Accra represents a significant milestone in international diplomacy, reaffirming the commitment of both Ukraine and Ghana to fostering closer ties and cooperation.
With the embassy serving as a beacon of friendship and collaboration, the stage is set for Ukraine and Ghana to embark on a journey of mutual prosperity and understanding, contributing to a more interconnected and harmonious global community.
America embassy in Russia said that dangerous people have plans to attack Moscow soon. This comes after Russian security services stopped a planned shooting at a synagogue by a group linked to Islamic State in Afghanistan.
The embassy has asked the U.S several times to do something about the situation. The government has told its people in Russia to leave right away. However, the government failed to tell them why, but they warned to stay away from large gatherings and to be careful of their surroundings.
The Embassy is keeping an eye on reports that extremists have plans to attack big events in Moscow, like concerts and events involving the U.S The embassy’s website said that people should stay away from big crowds for the next two days.
It warned a few hours after Russia’s FSB said it stopped an attack on a synagogue in Moscow by a group from Islamic State.
It was not clear if the two statements were connected.
Many countries say it’s not safe to travel to Russia and tell their citizens to come back home. The United States of America and Russia has been given the highest warning level, which is the same as countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan and Iran. It means “do not travel”.
The fighting in Ukraine has caused a major problem in Russia’s relationship with the West, the biggest since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
The Kremlin is blaming the relationship between Russia and the United States are not good right now because the United States is helping Ukraine with money, weapons, and intelligence in its fight against Russia.
The FSB found an Islamic State group in Russia’s Kaluga region. This group is part of ISIS-Khorasan, which wants to control many countries in the region and is based in Afghanistan.
The group showed up in eastern Afghanistan in late 2014 and became known for being very brutal.
The FSB said that the person was getting ready to shoot people at a synagogue.
Russian special forces fought back against the militants and eventually stopped them with return fire.
The FSB said they found and took away guns, bullets, and parts to make a homemade bomb.
Western countries now think that being a diplomat in Moscow is really hard.
Western diplomats in Moscow say they are often spied on and bothered. They use a guide called “Moscow Rules” to help them stay safe, which was made by Western spies in the past and has been updated for today’s Russia.
Russia has been saying that its diplomats are often mistreated in big Western cities and its citizens are unfairly treated because of a strong dislike of Russia. They say this is the worst it has been in 100 years.
The French Ambassador to Niger is allegedly living in captivity in the French embassy, according to President Emmanuel Macron, who also charged military leaders with obstructing food deliveries to the mission.
According to Macron, the ambassador is surviving solely on “military rations” and was speaking to media in the eastern town of Semur-en-Auxois on Friday.
“As we speak, we have an ambassador and diplomatic staff who are literally being held hostage in the French embassy,” he said.
“They are preventing food deliveries,” he said, in an apparent reference to Niger’s new military rulers. “He is eating military rations.”
Niger’s military leaders had initially instructed French ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave the country following the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26. However, despite a 48-hour ultimatum issued in August, the French government refused to comply and did not recognize the legitimacy of the military government.
France, along with most of Niger’s neighbors, condemned the coup.
President Emmanuel Macron stated that the French ambassador “cannot go out, he is persona non grata, and he is being refused food.” When asked whether France would consider recalling the ambassador, Macron indicated that any decision would be made in coordination with President Bazoum, whom he considers the legitimate authority and communicates with daily.
France maintains approximately 1,500 troops in Niger and has emphasized that any redeployment would need to be negotiated with President Bazoum.
The new leaders of Niger have terminated military cooperation agreements with France and have requested the swift departure of French troops.
Macron has consistently rejected calls to withdraw the French ambassador, a position supported by the European Union (EU), which has described the demand as “a provocation.” Like France, the EU does not recognize the authorities that took power in Niger.
The Sahel region, located south of the Sahara, has experienced a series of coups in recent years, with military regimes replacing elected governments in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger, prompting concerns and responses from regional and international actors.
Last week, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, a spokesperson for Niger’s coup leaders, accused France of amassing forces and equipment in West African countries, potentially for a “military intervention” against Niamey.
Niger is also in a standoff with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has threatened military intervention if diplomatic efforts to reinstate President Bazoum are unsuccessful.
In response to last week’s coup in Niger, the United States has issued an order for the partial evacuation of its embassy in the country. The situation has prompted the evacuation of hundreds of foreign nationals, and on Sunday, protesters attacked the French embassy.
The coup leader, Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, has issued a warning against any interference in the country’s internal affairs. Despite an official ban on demonstrations, protests in support of the coup are expected to take place on Thursday, coinciding with Niger’s independence day.
France, being Niger’s former colonial power, has requested the military junta, which now controls the country, to ensure the security of their embassy. The attack on the French diplomatic mission on Sunday led to the organization of evacuation flights.
According to France’s Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu, more than 1,000 French citizens and other Europeans have been flown out of the country. As the situation unfolds, one resident in the capital city, Niamey, reported that everything had been relatively calm so far.
“People are doing their duty like they do it every day,” said Sidien.
On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu presented his academic records to the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja.
The records, obtained from the Chicago State University in the United States of America, were submitted by Mr. Tinubu in response to a lawsuit filed by Atiku Abubakar challenging his victory as Nigeria’s president.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared President Tinubu, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the presidential election held on 25th February.
However, Atiku, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and finishing second in the race, disputed the election results.
Consequently, Atiku filed a petition with the court on 21st March, seeking to overturn Mr. Tinubu’s victory on grounds of alleged fraudulent academic and criminal records, along with other issues, including electoral malpractices.
He concluded the presentation of his case on 23 June, paving the way for Mr Tinubu, the APC and INEC to open their defence.
During the proceedings on Tuesday, Mr. Tinubu’s lead lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, submitted documents to support the president’s case. As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Olanipekun presented academic records from the Chicago State University, where Mr. Tinubu completed his graduation.
Additionally, he tendered a letter from the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, which explicitly stated that Mr. Tinubu had no criminal conviction or arrest record in the United States.
This letter was in response to a request made in 2003 by the then Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun (now deceased), to the U.S. Consular General in Lagos.
The inquiry was initiated by the Alliance for Democracy, a political party on whose platform Mr. Tinubu sought re-election as the governor of Lagos State in 2003.
“The screening committee of the Alliance for Democracy has written to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, requesting confirmation of any criminal record of conviction to date against Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the United States of America,” Mr Balogun’s letter dated 3 February 2003 read in part.
In a reply to the police’s enquiry, the American Consulate in Lagos said the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), National Crimes Information Centre (NCIC) ran a check on Mr Tinubu.
In the reply dated 4 February 2003, a legal attache at the U.S. Consulate, Michael H. Bonner, disclosed, “The results of the checks were negative for any criminal arrest records, wants, or warrants for Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The NCIC is a centralised information centre that maintains the records of every criminal arrest and conviction within the U.S. and its territories, a copy of the letter seen by PREMIUM TIMES explained.
In furtherance of his quest to debunk allegations of fraud against Mr Tinubu, Mr Olanipekun tendered the immigration documents of Mr Tinubu’s trips to the U.S. between 2011 and 2021.
He said the documents were certified by the Nigerian Immigration Service.
The lawyer also presented the final results of the presidential election, which declared Mr Tinubu president-elect on 1 March.
After tendering tons of documentary evidence, Mr Olanipekun told the five-member panel of the court headed by Haruna Tsammani that a “documentary foundation” had been laid for Mr Tinubu’s case.
“We will continue with oral evidence tomorrow by calling witnesses,” Mr Olanipekun said.
But Atiku’s lawyer, Chris Uche, a SAN, opposed the admissibility of the documents.
Mr Tinubu’s co-respondents – INEC and APC – did not oppose the tendering and admissibility of the papers in evidence.
After admitting the documents in evidence, the court adjourned further hearing until Wednesday.
Background
In the petition challenging Mr Tinubu’s victory, Atiku accused the then president-elect of drugs trafficking and falsification of U.S. academic records and identity.
In the filings, Atiku’s lawyer, Mr Uche, said Mr Tinubu forfeited $460,000 as a ‘compromise agreement’ in the U.S.
Atiku further faulted Mr Tinubu’s victory because he “holds dual citizenship of Nigeria and Guinea, having voluntarily acquired the citizenship of the Republic of Guinea.”
He accused INEC of fraud and substantial non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution during the conduct of the 25 February election.
Somalia has reopened its embassy in the UK after 32 years, in a ceremony attended by ambassador Abdulkadir Ahmed Kheyr, Olympic champion Mo Farah and Somali-Canadian model Sabrina Dhowre, among others.
The embassy in London is expected to provide consular services to the nearly 500,000-strong diaspora community in the UK who are eligible for Somali citizenship, and other services including travel documentation and marriage certificates.
It will also host cultural and other informative events.
Ambassador Kheyr said that reopening the embassy was a positive step in strengthening UK-Somali relations.
The Somali embassy in London was officially closed in 1991 following the collapse of the central government. However, diplomatic relations have strengthened in recent years.
Britain reopened its embassy in Mogadishu in 2013 after a 22-year absence.
After 32 years, Somalia’s embassy in the UK reopened in a ceremony featuring ambassador Abdulkadir Ahmed Kheyr, Olympic champion Mo Farah, and Somali-Canadian model Sabrina Dhowre.
The embassy in London is expected to provide consular services to the nearly 500,000-strong diaspora community in the UK who are eligible for Somali citizenship, and other services including travel documentation and marriage certificates.
It will also host cultural and other informative events.
Ambassador Kheyr said that reopening the embassy was a positive step in strengthening UK-Somali relations.
The Somali embassy in London was officially closed in 1991 following the collapse of the central government. However, diplomatic relations have strengthened in recent years.
Britain reopened its embassy in Mogadishu in 2013 after a 22-year absence.
The State Department has ordered that non-emergency US embassy employees and their families leave Abuja, Nigeria, “due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks there.”
In addition, the department issued a “Level 3” travel advisory for the entire country, urging people to “reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime.”
The State Department authorised the departure of non-emergency US government employees and family members earlier this week, after previously warning of planned terror attacks in Nigeria’s capital Abuja.
“Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations,” its October 23 advisory said of the alleged plots.
In an updated travel advisory issued Thursday, the State Department flagged 15 other Nigerian states in its “Do Not Travel” list due to risks ranging from terrorism to kidnapping and criminal activities perpetrated at sea.
In a similar advisory to British nationals, the UK government advised against nonessential travel to the Nigerian capital, while warning against all travel to 12 Nigerian states.
A popular Abuja mall closed its doors Thursday for the protection of staff and customers, its management said, adding that it was reviewing the security situation in consultation with authorities.
Nigeria’s police chief, Usman Alkali Baba, said there were “no imminent threats” in the country’s Federal Capital Territory.
“The Inspector General of Police, therefore, allays the fear of residents in the FCT and admonishes them to go about their lawful businesses and normal social lives/engagements as all hands are on deck to nip any security threat in the bud and respond to distress calls promptly,” a statement by his office said Thursday.
“The IGP similarly reiterates the commitment of the Nigeria Police to eliminating all threats, as well as protection of lives and property of all residents of the country,” the statement added.
Insurgency has remained rife in northeastern Nigeria, even as the country also struggles to contain motorbike riding gangs known locally as ‘bandits’ who carry out deadly attacks on communities in the northwestern region.
Nigeria also grapples with widespread kidnappings for ransom and maritime crimes in its southern region.
Hundreds of prisoners were broken free in a prison raid in the country’s capital in July. According to authorities, all inmates linked to Boko Haram escaped during the attack.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the raid.
The UK’s plan to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has been labeled as a “blatant violation of international law” by the Palestinians.
While at the UN, UK PM Liz Trussreportedly informed her Israeli colleague, Yair Lapid, of the review.
Such a move would be highly controversial. The opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem in 2018 was met with outrage across the Arab world.
Mr Lapid tweeted his thanks to Ms Truss for “positively considering” it.
He described Ms Truss as his “good friend”, writing in Hebrew after the pair met on the fringes of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Downing Street has not given any indication of timing but has confirmed that a review is underway.
British officials said they would not speculate on the outcome, adding that Ms Truss was aware of the sensitivity and importance of the location of the British embassy in Israel.
The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest issues in the decades-old Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Israel sees the entire city as its eternal, undivided capital while Palestinians claim the eastern part as the capital of their hoped-for future state.
East Jerusalem, along with the West Bank and Gaza Strip, were captured by Israel from Jordan and Egypt in the 1967 Middle East war and have since been viewed internationally as occupied Palestinian territory.
On Twitter, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, wrote that it was “extremely unfortunate” that Ms Truss had used her first appearance at the UN as prime minister to “commit to potentially breaking international law”.
He said any embassy move would be “a blatant violation” of “the UK’s historic responsibilities”, undermining the two-state solution of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
“Such promise is immoral, illegal and irresponsible!” he said.
It is extremely unfortunate that Prime Minister @trussliz uses her first appearance at the UN to commit to potentially breaking international law by promising a “review” of the location of the British embassy to Israel 1/3 https://t.co/qgC1QnIUhi
Up until now, the UK – like most other countries – has kept its embassy in Tel Aviv, rather than in bitterly contested Jerusalem, holding that it should only move to the holy city after a final peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.
Britain has a consulate in East Jerusalem.
Ms Truss reportedly raised the idea of relocating the embassy during therecent Conservative leadership campaign.
When US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital – fulfilling a campaign promise – it brought international condemnation. It also led to a flare-up in violence in which dozens of Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces.
At the time, the British PM, Theresa May, criticised the US action.
The only countries to have since followed Mr Trump’s example by moving their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem have been Honduras, Guatemala and Kosovo.
The Ambassador ofGhana to China, Dr Winfred Nii Okai Hammond, on Thursday stated that the Embassy of Ghana in Beijing has nothing to do with En Huan, also known as Aisha Huan’s return to Ghana.
He said the Chinese national who was deported from Ghana to China in December 2018 for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities in the Ashanti Region “did not take any visa from us.”
Dr Hammond made these remarks here when two Chinese investors paid him a visit in his office, to among others, discuss issues of common interest and mutual benefit, including investment in Ghana, job creation for Ghanaians and transfer of technology to spur economic growth.
Dr Hammond told the Ghanaian Times that it was necessary to respond to some unfounded allegations made against the Ghana Embassy for facilitating the return of Miss Huan to Ghana by issuing her a visa.
While saying that the law should be applied to the letter, he noted that En Huang’s case ought to be handled with utmost caution so as not to jeopardise the healthy relationship built by Ghana and China.
Dr Hammond noted there were many genuine Chinese businesses in Ghana contributing to the growth of the Ghanaian economy but said that those who flouted Ghana’s laws must be dealt with in accordance with law.
En Huang had already made two court appearances following her arrest, first at the Circuit Court on September 6, and at the Accra High Court on September 16 in respect of different offences.
At the Accra Circuit Court, En Huang and three others, Jong Li Hua; Huang Jei and HuiadHiahu had been charged with engaging in illegal mining in Ghana as well as engaging in sale and purchase of minerals without licence.
On September 16, the Accra High Court presided over by Justice Lydia OseiMarfo remanded the accused until October 11.
The prosecutor, Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice charged En Huang with undertaking mining operation without licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in mining operation, illegal employment of foreign nationals contrary to section 24 of the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573) and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry contrary to section 20(4) of the Immigration Act, 2000, Act 573.
