News

How A Single Meme Can Jeopardise Your Trip

Published

7 months ago

December 19, 2025

Social media posts deemed dangerous or offensive can increasingly lead to visa denial or online backlash. Here’s what global travelers need to know.

Last week, the US government announced plans to scrutinise five years’ worth of social media posts by visitors from dozens of countries who are eligible to visit the US for 90 days without a visa. While the specific details of the proposal remain unclear, the American public has several weeks to submit comments responding to the plan before it takes effect on 8 February 2026. Among other information, ESTA visa-free applicants will need to provide all email addresses used over the past 10 years.

The proposal reflects a recent trend of increased scrutiny of visitors to the US, where travellers’ digital footprints may now be used as grounds to bar them from entering or to deport them from the country. Earlier this year, a Norwegian tourist claimed he was denied entry to the US after officials searched his phone and found a meme of Vice President JD Vance. US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) denies the claim, stating that the decision was because of the Norwegian’s “admitted drug use”. The CBP site notes that “border searches of electronic devices are often integral to determining an individual’s intentions upon entry to the United States”.

Since returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has sought to secure the US’s borders, citing national security reasons. But some experts say the new plan could pose an additional obstacle that deters would-be travellers.

Border searches go digital

Donald Rothwell, a law professor at Australian National University and regular commentator on international legal issues, is one of many who are now cautious of travelling to the US, as he says the visitor experience is becoming increasingly fraught.

If on arrival at a US border a foreign visitor fails to comply with a CBP border official request, they can be denied entry – Donald Rothwell

“Currently, under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows visitors from 42 countries to enter the US using the ESTA process, they possess very little rights at the border,” he cautions.

“This partly arises because in applying under the Visa Waiver Program, [visitors] waive some of their US legal rights to contest certain decisions made by US CBP [Customs and Border Protection] at the border. So, if on arrival at a US border a foreign visitor fails to comply with a CBP border official request, they can be denied entry.” His advice for visitors: be highly cautious about what you post online with respect to matters that may relate to US policy or individual Americans.

Alamy Governments around the world are increasingly monitoring travellers' social media activity (Credit: Alamy) — Governments around the world are increasingly monitoring travellers’ social media activity (Credit: Alamy)

Looking further ahead, Rothwell theorises that increasing digitisation is likely to make high levels of scrutiny far more common – and easier to implement: “If travel is going to become ‘borderless’, it follows that more digital data will be collected on travellers.” More data, he adds, provides authorities greater confidence that the visitor does not pose a security threat. “I suspect that we will see an increasing use of AI being used to make these decisions,” he says.

Think before you post

The US is far from the only nation to implement such surveillance measures. Governments around the world are increasingly monitoring travellers’ social media activity, and a person’s digital footprint can still cause problems long after they cross a border. In 2018, New Zealand introduced what they said was the world’s first law allowing border officials to demand access to travellers’ phones, with hefty fines for those who refuse to share their passwords. The United Arab Emirates goes further still: authorities can detain foreigners who post or even repost defamatory content, as one Irishman discovered last year when he left a negative online review of a former local employer.

The risks are also rising because travellers are generating ever-increasing volumes of potentially sensitive content. A survey of British travellers by Virgin Mobile found that more than half “can’t imagine not taking pictures on holiday”, typically uploading seven images a week to social media. In the arms race of “travel porn”, many users get competitive. One-in-10 survey respondents said they would go to extreme lengths for a holiday selfie, including standing on a cliff edge or posing with wild animals.

The problem is that those shots are often taken without regard for local norms, leading to backlash that can quickly escalate. In 2022, a Russian influencer and her husband were deported from Bali after staging a nude photoshoot under a sacred tree. Shortly after the photos were uploaded to social media, local politician Niluh Djelantic asked fellow citizens to report the influencer to the police. “She should be responsible for the cost of the cleaning ceremony to be carried out by villagers,” Djelantik wrote. “Trashy tourist. Go home!”

Incidents like this have led to governments scrambling to educate their globe-trotting citizens, with web pages dedicated to ever-shifting social media etiquette abroad, or cultural norms that many travellers may not realise exist. Canada’s government portal, for example, warns that in Thailand it is illegal to promote alcohol consumption, and you can be fined for posting pictures with alcohol on social media.

The spectrum of misunderstanding

Sucheta Rawal, a travel keynote speaker and children’s book author, has experienced how quickly a holiday post can spiral. On a trip to Africa last year, one of her posts was viewed by a contact, who then angrily reshared it globally. “I didn’t feel I was being insensitive,” she says, “but it led to misinterpretation, blame and hostility towards me, which made the rest of my trip very difficult. All content is vulnerable – whether you are posting personally or privately. In today’s environment, it is not very difficult to take comments out of context, or to thread them into stories that you did not intend to be told.”

Getty Images Travellers can unintentionally breach local customs – such turning their backs on a torii gate at the entrance to a Shinto shrine (Credit: Getty Images) — Travellers can unintentionally breach local customs – such turning their backs on a torii gate at the entrance to a Shinto shrine (Credit: Getty Images)

At a time when more travellers are becoming content creators and posting gigabytes of material every month, the scope for misunderstanding grows. “When I was writing Beato Goes to Japan,” says Rawal, “I realised that I had to be mindful of so many subtle cultural nuances in my images.” The wrapping of a yukata (summer kimono) differs between living people and corpses, she notes, while facing your back to a torii gate, the entrance to a Shinto shrine, is disrespectful.

As travel photography becomes increasingly performative, millions of people take selfies wearing local clothing or visiting religious shrines. Such missteps can offend those nearby long before an image is posted online.

Context is everything

Often, it is unfamiliarity with cultural norms – rather than malice – that lies behind these incidents. For example, Japan, along with many Asian and Middle Eastern nations, is an example of a “high-context society“. In a talk on the subject, intercultural communication expert Erin Meyer explains that in such cultures, communication “is more implicit, or layered or nuanced”, and much is said through symbolic gestures or implied understanding.

Travellers from “low-context societies”, which prioritise direct verbal communication, may find such layered, understated communication a minefield of potential rudeness – one where even if you avoid words, you don’t necessarily avoid causing offence. When social posts today come with the option of adding a plethora of emojis, a simple video upload at a foreign fruit market, with an accompanying watermelon icon could easily trigger viewers who see that as a sign of antisemitism or a racist stereotype against black Americans.

Don’t turn local people into objects just because you are a traveller – Sucheta Rawal

None of this means holidaymakers should censor themselves entirely for fear of backlash. Instead, the best approach may be to simply post more consciously, prioritising quality over quantity rather than feeding algorithms or expectations.

“Awareness is often gained by being fully aware and present of your surroundings,” says Rawal. “Observe how people around you dress, speak, act, and try to blend in as best as you can. Don’t turn local people into objects just because you are a traveller.”

The result is not just a safer and more meaningful trip, but one where you connect respectfully with cultural sites rather than simply turning them into content.

bbc.com

Politics

Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo Resigns From The Council Of State

Published

1 month ago

June 14, 2026

AladdynKing

Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has resigned from Ghana’s Council of State, sources familiar with the matter have informed Myjoyonline, bringing an end to her time on the country’s highest presidential advisory body.

Sophia Akuffo, who led the judiciary from 2017 to 2020, is understood to have submitted her resignation last year.

She has not attended any Council of State meetings since then.

Neither Akuffo nor the presidency has commented on the development. The circumstances surrounding her decision have not been publicly disclosed.

The Council of State is a constitutional body tasked with advising the president on matters of national importance.

Its membership includes elected and appointed representatives drawn from across the country.

Her exit, however, follows a turbulent period during which she became a central figure in one of Ghana’s most consequential judicial crises.

When the Council of State voted in April 2025 on whether a prima facie case had been established against then Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, 30 out of 31 members voted in favour. Sophia Akuffo was the sole abstention, though the reasons for her decision were not publicly disclosed at the time.

Sophia Akuffo went further in the months that followed. She appeared voluntarily before the Article 146 committee established to investigate Torkornoo, at the request of the suspended Chief Justice herself, to present testimony in her defence.

She also went public with her misgivings about the entire process.

In an interview in September 2025, she criticised the proceedings that led to Torkornoo’s removal, arguing that the suspended Chief Justice did not receive a fair hearing.

She described the process as a “treason trial” and said it had weakened the judiciary. She further argued that the allegations against Torkornoo “lack the gravity that will lead to a grave outcome such as the removal of the head of an institution of justice.”

The remarks drew sharp backlash.

Former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, accused Akuffo of breaching her oath of secrecy as a Council of State member, arguing that her statements indirectly revealed knowledge of confidential proceedings.

A member of the United Party, Solomon Owusu, announced plans to petition for her removal, accusing her of breaching the oath of secrecy and saying her actions could set a dangerous precedent. Solomon Owusu also criticised her for serving as a witness for Torkornoo before the Pwamang-led committee while still a member of the Council of State, which had participated in establishing the prima facie case.

President Mahama signed the warrant for Torkornoo’s removal on September 1, 2025.

Sophia Akuffo is one of Ghana’s most respected jurists, having served on the Supreme Court for over two decades before becoming the country’s 13th Chief Justice. She was only the second woman to hold the position, after Justice Georgina Theodora Wood.

Before her elevation to Chief Justice, she served as a judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and held several roles within the Ghanaian judiciary.

Her time on the Council of State had drawn public attention earlier in 2023, when she joined pensioner groups protesting aspects of the government’s domestic debt exchange programme, arguing that retirees should not bear an unfair burden in the country’s economic recovery effort.

No official announcement has been made regarding a replacement.

myjoyonline.com

Campus

Missing UCC Student Found Dead On The Beach

Published

1 month ago

June 14, 2026

AladdynKing

Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, the 20-year-old University of Cape Coast (UCC) student who was reported missing last week, was discovered dead on the beach.

About twelve hours after her hostel roommate last saw her, her body was found at the Hutchland Beach region of Cape Coast, close to Duakor.

On June 11, 2026, at around 7 p.m., Innocentia received a phone call, dressed casually, and left the room, according to her roommate, with whom she shared a private hostel in the nearby hamlet of Amamoma.

She added that when Innocentia failed to return, her coworkers grew worried. As a result, attempts were made to find her the next day, but they were unsuccessful.

Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, was a Level 200 Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resources) student.

Police are now looking into the circumstances of her death.

No Obvious Physical Injuries Observed
On Friday, June 12, 2026, at around 6am, inhabitants of the Duakor village reported to the police that a body had washed up on the beach.

According to a preliminary police report, when examining the body at the beach scene, the authorities found “no visible signs of physical injury.”

UCC’s statement

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has confirmed that police investigations are underway following the death of a student whose body was discovered along a beach in Cape Coast.

In a statement issued by the University’s Public Affairs Directorate on Sunday, June 14, 2026, UCC disclosed that law enforcement authorities have launched an inquiry to establish the circumstances surrounding the death of Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, a student of the institution.

According to the UCC District Police Commander, ASP Abdul Abubakar, residents of the Duakor Community reported at about 6:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, that a body had washed ashore on the beach. Police officers promptly responded to the report and proceeded to the scene to verify the information.

A preliminary examination conducted at the scene revealed no visible signs of physical injury on the body. The remains were subsequently transported to the mortuary at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) pending identification and further investigations.

Later that same day, investigators received information suggesting that the deceased might be a student of the University of Cape Coast. Following this lead, the Dean of Students’ Affairs was informed to assist with the identification process and related administrative procedures.

The investigation gained further clarity when the deceased’s roommate, who shared a private hostel room with her at Amamoma, a community near the university, reported to the police station with a photograph. The photograph helped authorities confirm the identity of the deceased as Innocentia Atsufui Avinu.

The roommate told police that she last saw Innocentia two days earlier at about 7:00 p.m. According to her account, the student received a phone call, dressed casually, and left the hostel room. Concern grew among friends and colleagues when she failed to return, prompting efforts to trace her whereabouts throughout the following day. However, those attempts were unsuccessful.

On Saturday, June 13, 2026, members of the deceased’s family visited the police station and were escorted to the mortuary, where they formally identified the body. Observations made during the identification process were consistent with the initial findings, as no physical injuries were detected.

ASP Abdul Abubakar indicated that police will obtain a coroner’s form from the court on Monday, June 15, 2026, to facilitate a post-mortem examination. The procedure will enable pathologists to determine the exact cause of death and provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding the case.

Meanwhile, the police have assured the public that investigations remain ongoing and that every effort is being made to establish the facts surrounding the student’s death.

Energy

See The Areas That Will Be Affected By Power Outages On June 4

Published

2 months ago

June 4, 2026

AladdynKing

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced multiple power outages for Thursday, June 4, 2026, affecting communities in the Tema, Eastern, Central, and Western Regions, with a combination of planned and emergency maintenance exercises scheduled across the country.

In the Tema Area, a planned maintenance exercise will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00pm. The affected areas include the Sea Water Desalination Plant, Maranatha, Buade, Glow Lamp, Frimpongmaa Estates, Abrantie, Dan Adams, Coastal Estates, Basket, GCB Training School, Ataa Adama, Royal Ravico, Junction Mall, Regimanuel Estates, Parakuo Estates, Queensland International School, Kpoo Keke, Best Western Premier Hotel, Leisure Hours Hotel, and extensive parts of Nungua including Zongo, Township, Traditional Council, Polyclinic and Secondary School. Also affected are the Kpeshie Divisional Police Headquarters, Coco Beach, Main 1, Father’s Hotel, C5 and surrounding areas. The notice was originally issued on Monday, June 1.

In the Eastern Region, a planned maintenance exercise will run from 8:00am to 5:00pm, affecting Sekesua, Anyamoni, Oterkpolu, Bukonor, Asesewa, Akateng and surrounding areas. This notice was originally issued on Tuesday, 2nd June.

The Central Region will experience a planned outage from 9:00am to 3:30pm, affecting Brimso Headworks, Akaikrom, Police Barrier, Ankaful Junction, Mpeasem, WAEC, Yayaaikawa, Wanyiwato, part of Dominase, Duakyimase and surrounding areas.

In the Western Region, ECG will undertake two separate exercises. The first is an emergency maintenance from 10:00am to 2:00pm, affecting Dixcove, Busua, Cape 3, Agona Damtsi, GREL and surrounding areas. The second is another emergency maintenance from 9:00am to 4:00pm, affecting Akoon, UEE, parts of Market Circle, Railway Quarters, Apinto Hospital, Cyanide, Kwabedu, Alhaji Dauda, New Atuabo, Budo City, Banso, Esuosu and surrounding areas.

ECG has expressed regret for the inconvenience that will arise from all these exercises. The company has advised affected customers to make alternative arrangements for power-dependent activities during the specified hours.

All notices were originally issued between Monday, June 1 and Wednesday, June 3, 2026. ECG assured that power supply would be restored to all affected areas upon completion of the scheduled maintenance works. Customers have been encouraged to contact ECG’s official communication channels for further updates.

graphic.com.gh