Connect with us

Hot!

Ghana considering visa waivers for African countries – Ayorkor Botchwey

Published

on

The Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has announced that Ghana is considering visa waivers for African countries.

This follows the recent decision by Rwanda, Kenya, and South Africa to allow Africans to travel to their countries visa-free.

In an interview with Citi News, Ms Botchwey said Ghana wants to join the visa-free countries soon. She said that the government is “on the drawing board looking at it” and that it is “something that we are seriously thinking about.”

Ms Botchwey also noted that Ghana has plans to attract people of African descent to the diaspora. She said that Ghana wants to be a “pilgrimage country” for them to touch with the motherland.

Advertisement

The Foreign Affairs Minister said that the government is working on the visa waiver agreement with the Ministries of Interior and Tourism. She said that the government will come out with a decision very soon.

Meanwhile, Ghana and South Africa have signed a visa waiver agreement, which allows citizens of both countries to travel freely for business and tourism, without any visa restrictions. The agreement took effect on November 1, 2023.

The visa waiver applies to holders of ordinary passports, who are allowed to stay in the other country for up to 90 days within a calendar year.

The agreement is expected to boost trade and tourism between the two countries. It is also seen as a sign of the growing relationship between Ghana and South Africa.

Advertisement

Source: Citinewsroom

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Hot!

Justin Kodua Frimpong files nomination to seek re-election as NPP General Secretary

Published

on

General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.

Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.

Advertisement

“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.

He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.

“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.

His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.

Advertisement

The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.

The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Hot!

UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

Published

on

The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.

In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.

The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.

According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.

Advertisement

UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.

The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.

It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.

UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.

Advertisement

The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.

The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.

Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.

By: Jacob Aggrey

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending