News
Put in place appropriate and humane conditions – Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Embassies
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has engaged Embassies and High Commissions on the numerous complaints by the public, on how Ghanaian citizens are treated when they visit Foreign Missions in Ghana for visa applications.
The complaints cover issues such as, not providing conducive waiting areas, non-availability of emergency services, long waiting times for appointment dates as well as challenges in using visa application websites.
To address these concerns, the Ministry has dispatched a Note Verbale to all Embassies and High Commissions urging them to put in place appropriate and humane conditions at their Embassies,High Commissions and visa centres.
It is the Ministry’s expectation that Foreign
Missions will respond positively and appropriately to the request.
In a statement by the Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on Facebook, he noted that “Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes action to address the unacceptable treatment of Ghanaian visa applicants at Embassies and High Commissions.”
According to him,”We expect diplomatic missions in Ghana to take steps to improve conditions, create conducive waiting areas, resolve unreasonable long waiting periods for appointments and create room for emergencies.”
“We have shared values, let’s make things better for the people we serve,” he concluded.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read the Full Statement Below
News
Addai-Nimoh steps down from NPP primaries over bias approach
Former presidential hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Francis Addai-Nimoh, has announced that he will not contest the party’s upcoming presidential primary scheduled for January 31, 2026.
Mr. Addai-Nimoh in a statement revealed that his decision followed broad consultations with his team and careful reflection on the current state of the party.
He explained that the timing of the primary was politically inappropriate and described the top-down approach adopted for the contest as imprudent.
He further alleged that party executives appeared to be showing open bias in favour of one candidate.
The former presidential aspirant also raised concerns about what he called the “unhealthy monetization” of internal party politics, pointing to the GH₵4.6 million filing fee required from each aspirant.
According to him, such conditions undermined the party’s democratic culture and placed emphasis on money rather than competence and winnability.
Despite stepping down, Mr. Addai-Nimoh wished all aspirants well in their campaigns and reaffirmed his commitment to the growth of both the NPP and Ghana.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Launch a full-scale, transparent investigation into the Suame fire – Ashanti NPP Parliamentary Caucus to government
The Ashanti NPP Parliamentary Caucus has called on government to launch a full-scale, transparent investigation into the fire that destroyed more than 300 shops at the Suame Post Office Market in Kumasi.
In a statement signed by the caucus secretary, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the MPs expressed deep sympathy to the thousands of traders who lost their shops, goods, and livelihoods in the incident.
The caucus said the Ashanti Region had in recent months suffered repeated market fires, which had destroyed years of hard work and investment by ordinary Ghanaians.
They described the situation as “one too many” and insisted that people in the region deserved more than words of sympathy and empty promises.
The group questioned government’s approach, asking where the urgency, accountability, and concrete plans to stop such recurring disasters were.
They stressed that traders could not continue to see their sweat and toil reduced to ashes while authorities treated the matter as business as usual.
The caucus demanded immediate emergency relief and compensation packages for the affected traders, as well as urgent steps to introduce modern fire safety infrastructure in markets.
These include fire hydrants, surveillance systems, and dedicated fire posts.
They also urged government to put in place a clear policy framework to permanently address the spate of market fires in the Ashanti Region.
According to the statement, the matter would be raised strongly on the floor of Parliament.
The caucus added that they stood firmly with the traders of Suame and the Ashanti Region and would not relent until their safety, livelihoods, and dignity were secured.
By: Jacob Aggrey
