News
U.S. State Department cracks down on Birth Tourism networks worldwide
The United States Department of State says it is taking steps to stop what it describes as the abuse of the country’s immigration system through birth tourism schemes.
According to the department, under the administration of President Donald Trump, efforts have been intensified to prevent foreign nationals from obtaining visitor visas primarily to travel to the United States and give birth so their children can acquire U.S. citizenship.
The State Department disclosed that a U.S. embassy in West Africa uncovered a sophisticated birth tourism network involving more than 100 foreign nationals.
It said the individuals used fraudulent documents and visa “fixers” to obtain visas for travel to the United States.
Officials indicated that the operation was shut down and the visas of those involved were revoked.
The department added that it is working with local authorities to identify and dismantle similar networks operating in the region.
In Europe, the department said a U.S. embassy identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024.
Investigators reportedly linked the cases to at least six companies that coached visa applicants on how to answer questions during interviews, arranged accommodation in the United States, and organized childbirth plans.
The State Department said the companies’ activities were halted, the visas of those involved were revoked, and several individuals accused of fraud were permanently barred from entering the United States.
Meanwhile, in North Africa, a U.S. embassy revoked more than 100 visas issued to parents who allegedly travelled to the United States mainly to give birth so their children could obtain U.S. citizenship.
The department said consular officers, working with law enforcement agencies and using data analytics, identified several networks that were abusing the visa system and took action against them.
The State Department stressed that a U.S. visa is a privilege and not a right.
It said it will continue to take action globally to stop birth tourism schemes, dismantle fraudulent networks, and hold accountable individuals who attempt to misuse the U.S. immigration system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has dismissed claims that staff salaries at the Presidency have increased under the current administration, describing the allegation as a “flat lie”.
In a response to a post on Facebook, Ofosu Kwakye said the current staff at the Presidency inherited the same salaries and conditions approved for their predecessors.
He argued that once arrears owed to former Article 71 office holders are paid, the total wage bill for the current administration will actually be lower due to a reduction in staff numbers.
“It is in fact a mathematical certainty that the total amount paid in salaries to the current staff will be smaller compared to yours once your arrears are paid because of the reduction in numbers,” he stated.
The Minister noted that delays in paying arrears to past Article 71 office holders are not new.
“Arrears owed to past Article 71 office holders is nothing new or unheard of. Many others before you have suffered same,” he said.
Ofosu Kwakye also stressed that the salaries and conditions in question were approved by Parliament on 6th January 2025, under the previous government.
He pointed out that the Constitution bars any changes to those salaries until a new committee is set up to determine emoluments for Article 71 office holders under the new administration.
“No such committee has been set up by President Mahama and no alteration has been made,” he clarified.
“So on what basis, apart from pure lies and mischief, can a claim of ballooning be made?” he concluded.
The response follows public debate over the size and cost of the presidential staff, with critics alleging a spike in the wage bill.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, has initiated plea negotiations with the Attorney General’s office in the GH₵30 million Exim Bank fraud case.
Information available to ghanaiantimes.com.gh indicates that lawyers for Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi & 2 other accused have formally written to the Attorney General to enter into plea negotiations on the charges of defrauding by false pretenses, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body.
A plea bargain, under Section 162C of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 1079), allows an accused person to plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a reduced sentence.
The agreement must be approved by the court after the Attorney General assesses factors such as the strength of evidence, recovery of state funds, and public interest.
Wontumi is facing four counts after his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office in May 2025.
Prosecutors allege he used forged documents to secure a GH₵30 million facility from the Ghana Export-Import Bank to finance equipment for his mining company, Akonta Mining Ltd.
The state further charges him with money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted GH₵50 million bail with two sureties. The case is currently before the Accra High Court.
The Attorney General’s office is yet to confirm whether negotiations will proceed.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
