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Ghana's Ambassador to the United States, Emmanuel Victor Smith, has clarified that the recent temporary suspension of immigrant visa processing will not affect non-immigrant visas, specifically B1 and B2 visas for business and tourism. This follows a US State Department announcement of a pause on immigrant visas for 75 countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, starting January 21, 2026, due to a review of 'public charge' screening rules. Ambassador Smith urged Ghanaians to rely on official embassy communications and disregard speculation about broader travel bans.
For a country with a massive diaspora and significant trade ties to the US, any perceived travel restriction causes immediate economic and social anxiety. This clarification preserves short-term mobility for entrepreneurs and families.
The 'public charge' rule is a US policy used to determine if an applicant is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence. Such reviews often lead to temporary administrative pauses during leadership transitions in the US.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has issued a formal apology and withdrawn a Year Two Physical Education and Health manual for Senior High Schools. The manual was criticized by the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) for containing gender identity content that they claim contradicts Ghanaian cultural identity. Prof. Samuel Ofori Obuobisah Bekoe, NaCCA Director-General, admitted the material was misaligned with national values and promised a revised version.
This incident highlights the sensitive intersection of international educational standards and local cultural preservation, a recurring theme in Ghanaian policy debates.
This is not the first time curriculum materials have sparked national debate; similar controversies regarding Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) occurred in 2017 and 2019, leading to government retreats on specific modules.
Benin has launched the 'My Afro Origins' program, offering citizenship to descendants of enslaved Africans. Supported by filmmaker Spike Lee, the initiative has already naturalized 50 individuals. This is part of President Patrice Talon's strategy to bridge the gap with the global African community through memory and investment.
This mirrors Ghana's 'Year of Return' and 'Beyond the Return' initiatives. As Benin competes for diaspora attention and investment, Ghana may need to enhance its own 'Right of Abode' processing to remain the primary destination for the returnee community.
Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu reported a 3.8% economic growth rate for October 2025. However, he warned that inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and energy supply stability remain major risks. Dr. Iddrisu urged the government to bolster industrial productivity and advised businesses to pivot toward digital services to hedge against currency fluctuations.
Growth is steady but fragile. For sustainable recovery under the new Mahama administration, the government must address the structural inefficiencies in the power sector that threaten manufacturing output.
Monitor the energy sector's debt profile; disruptions here are the primary risk to GDP targets in 2026.
The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) reports that intense competition among Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) has driven petrol prices down to GHc10.56 (~$0.98 USD) per litre and diesel to GHc11.56 (~$1.08 USD) per litre. Major players like Star Oil and GOIL are leading the price cuts, providing significant relief to consumers during the January pricing window.
Lower fuel costs have a direct disinflationary effect on food prices and transport fares, which are the biggest drivers of the consumer price index in Ghana.
At the current exchange rate of GHc10.73 per dollar, your remittances currently have higher purchasing power for family transport and logistics costs. A full tank of petrol now costs roughly $50-60 USD depending on the vehicle.
Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare met with high-level delegations from Japan and China this week, pitching Ghana as the strategic gateway to the 1.3 billion-person African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Japanese delegation, led by Dr. Kunimitsu Ayano, expressed interest in MSMEs and infrastructure, while Chinese investors focused on value-added agribusiness.
Ghana is leveraging its status as the host of the AfCFTA Secretariat to attract manufacturing hubs. Look for incentives in the 'One District, One Factory' (1D1F) expansion zones.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) arrested seven suspects, including two minors, during a midnight raid on illegal mining sites in the Western Region. The operation targeted operations that were causing severe pollution to the Ankobrah River. NAIMOS announced it will now deploy field officers permanently to high-risk zones.
The inclusion of minors in these arrests highlights the socio-economic desperation in mining communities. Watch for whether the new administration introduces more aggressive alternative livelihood programs to supplement these enforcement raids.
Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, warned that maternal mortality has hit a three-year high of 232 deaths per 100,000 live births. Delays in accessing emergency care were cited as the primary cause, though medical drone deliveries are beginning to bridge the gap.
Ghana's target under the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to reduce maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. This current spike in the Ashanti Region suggests a significant setback in national progress.
Italian Serie A side Cagliari is pushing to re-sign Ghanaian midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana on loan from Bologna. Sulemana, a rising star in the diaspora, is seeking more regular playing time after his 7.4 million Euro transfer to Atalanta. Parma and Sassuolo are also reportedly monitoring the 22-year-old.
Black Stars context: Regular Serie A minutes for Sulemana are crucial for Coach Otto Addo as he builds a more robust midfield for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Morocco defeated Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to set up a 2025 AFCON final against Senegal. Meanwhile, CAF has banned FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto'o for four matches and fined him $20,000 for aggressive misconduct during Cameroon's match against Morocco.
A video of Akosua Serwaa, widow of the late Highlife legend Lumba, weeping while singing her husband's song 'Opono Hini Me' has gone viral. Serwaa is currently in Ghana to organize a separate burial for the icon, amid a legal dispute over his estate with his second wife, Odo Broni.
This story has captivated the public as it involves the legacy of one of Ghana's most beloved cultural icons and highlights the complexities of customary marriage and estate law in Ghana.
Today we covered the critical US visa clarifications for the diaspora, the withdrawal of controversial SHS curriculum materials, and the 3.8% economic growth figure currently battling energy and currency risks. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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