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
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
News
Embrace entrepreneurship and opportunities in the private sector, Afenyo-Markin encourages youth
The Member of Parliament for Effutu and Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has encouraged young people to focus on entrepreneurship and the private sector instead of depending only on government jobs.
In a one on one interview he stated that the public sector was already full and could not employ everyone, noting that his office was flooded with CVs from job seekers.
According to him, the future would be brighter if the youth created jobs for themselves.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin explained that people with good business ideas should be supported with capital, but warned that such opportunities should not be abused.
He said many people misuse the help they receive, which prevents others from also benefiting.
He cited the “taxi work campaign” initiative in his constituency, where over 90 percent of the beneficiaries failed to pay back.
He added that similar cases of mismanagement by individuals he supported were common and called the situation “heartbreaking.”
The Effutu MP appealed to young people to make good use of support from banks, credit unions, family members, and political leaders, stressing that abusing opportunities denies future generations their livelihood.
By: Jacob Aggrey
