News
U.S. Visa: 61,000 applied in Ghana, only 25,000 approved in 2024
The United States Embassy in Ghana has disclosed that only 25,000 out of 61,000 visa applications submitted in 2024 were approved, highlighting growing concerns over fraudulent practices and the activities of middlemen posing as facilitators.
Embassy officials have linked a significant portion of the problem to so-called “fixers” who deceive desperate applicants with false promises of guaranteed visas often in exchange for large sums of money.
At a press conference in Accra, Elliot Fertik, Consul General of the U.S. Embassy, warned the public against engaging unauthorised intermediaries and reiterated the Embassy’s commitment to curbing visa fraud.
“We’ve always had a zero-tolerance policy towards lying and visa fraud, but the Trump administration is determined to ensure that this policy is strictly enforced,” he stated.
He cautioned that relying on self-styled agents claiming to have insider access is both risky and unfounded.
“There are often a lot of people who say, ‘If you pay me money, I can get you a visa.’ That is not true,” he said.
“The visa application process can be done by anyone, on their own. Paying extra money to someone who claims to have an inside track is a lie; they are simply taking your money.”He added.
He revealed that each year, hundreds of applicants contact the Embassy after losing as much as $5,000 to fraudulent operators who ultimately fail to deliver.
“We often work with Canadian law enforcement to track down these fraudsters,” Mr.Fertik added.
To combat the issue, the Embassy is now partnering with Ghanaian security agencies to identify and prosecute those involved in visa-related scams.
He urged applicants to use official channels and to be honest throughout the process.
“So please, if you are interested in applying for a visa, we welcome your application,” he said.
“We appreciate your interest in travelling to the United States, but please do it the right way. Follow our rules, tell the truth, and you will not have any problems with us,” he concluded.
myjoyonline.com
Education
Over 10 Students Arrested Over Okuapeman-Mount Sinai SHS Clash
More than 10 students have been apprehended in connection with the clashes between Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The arrests follow reprisal attacks between students of the two schools, which resulted in the burning and destruction of several structures on both campuses in the early hours of Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, September 2, Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joseph Owusu-Bempah, said some of the students fled their schools when the police arrived. Still, he warned that their absence would not prevent the police from arresting them.
“We have apprehended them. And there are more,” he said, adding that the police are compiling a comprehensive list of all persons involved in the violence.
He disclosed that the investigation had also uncovered information suggesting that some teachers may have encouraged students to attack their counterparts.
According to him, the police have obtained the names of teachers allegedly linked to the incident and will take action against them if investigations establish their involvement.
“We have the names of the teachers. They have nowhere to go. At the appropriate time, we will arrest all of them, and their names will be published,” DCOP Owusu-Bempah warned.
DCOP Owusu-Bempah assured the public that anyone found to have participated in the violence would be dealt with in accordance with the law, while urging students to return to school and cooperate with the investigation.
He also appealed against any interference in the police process, warning that such actions could undermine efforts to restore calm and ensure accountability.
At Okuapeman SHS, six students were injured and taken to hospital following the incident. The school’s Headmaster said four of the students had since been treated and discharged, while two remained on admission as of Wednesday.
The exact trigger for the clashes remains unclear, but the police have begun investigations to establish what led to the confrontation and identify all those responsible.
citinewsroom.com
Education
GES Releases National Harmonised Prospectus For 2026/27 SHS Admissions
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the release of the National Harmonised Prospectus for prospective Senior High School (SHS) and Senior High Technical School (SHTS) students for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The prospectus is intended to guide parents and students on the essential items required for enrolment, covering both boarding and day students.
GES has urged parents and students preparing for the next stage of their education to carefully review the prospectus and make the necessary preparations ahead of the commencement of the new academic year.
Schools and other relevant stakeholders have also been directed to adhere to the requirements outlined in the prospectus to ensure a smooth, consistent and standardised admission process nationwide.
The release of the prospectus comes ahead of the announcement of school placements and is expected to help newly admitted students and their parents adequately prepare for enrolment once placements are released.
Parents and prospective students are therefore encouraged to familiarise themselves with the approved requirements to avoid challenges during the admission process.
Below is the list of items outlined in the prospectus that parents and guardians are required to acquire for their wards:


myjoyonline.com
General News
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