U.S. Visa Suspension: Ghana, Nigeria Affected as Processing Paused January 21
Policy change takes effect January 21, affecting applicants worldwide
The U.S. Department of State has confirmed that immigrant visa services for citizens of 75 countries will be temporarily suspended beginning January 21, 2026. Among the affected countries are Ghana, Nigeria, India, and several others.
Breaking: U.S. to Suspend Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries Including Ghana, Nigeria 2
Officials say the decision is part of an administrative review of visa procedures, but no further details have been provided regarding the duration of the suspension or potential exceptions.
Immigration experts warn that this suspension could lead to delays for families, skilled workers, and students planning to relocate to the U.S., urging applicants to monitor official updates from the U.S. Embassy and the Department of State.
Applicants in Ghana and Nigeria are advised to stay informed via official channels and avoid third-party sources that may provide misleading information about the policy.
Comment comparing romance scam claims to consensual relationships draws mixed reactions
A remark attributed to one of the lawyers representing Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, and his co-accused has triggered widespread discussion online following ongoing legal proceedings involving alleged romance scam claims.
According to reports, the lawyer was quoted as saying:
“You say you love me and I ask you for money and you give me, how is this a crime? If this is a romance scam, then arrest all the slay queens.”
The statement, which has since circulated widely on social media, has drawn mixed reactions from the public. While some commentators argue that the lawyer was attempting to distinguish consensual financial support within relationships from criminal fraud, others have criticised the comparison as insensitive and misleading.
Lawyer’s Remark in Abu Trica Case Sparks Public Debate on Romance Scam Allegations 4
Legal analysts note that romance scam cases are typically determined by intent, deception, and misrepresentation, rather than the mere act of receiving money. They stress that courts assess whether there was deliberate manipulation or false pretence used to obtain funds.
The comment has also reignited broader conversations about financial expectations in relationships, online dating, and the legal boundaries between personal gifts and alleged fraud.
Meanwhile, the case involving Abu Trica and his associates remains before the courts, with legal proceedings ongoing. Authorities have yet to issue any official response to the circulating statement, and all accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Suspects reportedly targeted students and young ladies using private vehicles
Police have arrested five suspects in connection with a series of alleged robbery and sexual assault cases targeting young women and students.
The suspects have been identified by police as David Adusah, also known as “Viber,” aged 19; Samuel Amantor, alias “Road,” aged 21; Andrew Odei, alias “Salinco,” aged 21; Sharif Mohammed, also known as “Isco,” aged 18; and Joseph Addo Ofori, alias “Moves.”
According to police sources, the suspects allegedly operated as a gang and targeted young females by offering them lifts in a private vehicle. Under the pretext of helping them reach their destinations, the victims were reportedly taken to secluded locations along the Morso Road.
Investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly robbed the victims of their personal belongings before sexually assaulting them. Police further disclosed that the victims were later abandoned at isolated locations or pushed out of the vehicle before the suspects fled the scene.
Police Arrest Alleged Gang Linked to Robbery and Sexual Assaults on Young Women 6
Law enforcement authorities say investigations are ongoing, and the suspects are currently assisting police with further inquiries. Officials have urged the public, especially young women and students, to exercise caution when accepting lifts from unknown individuals.
Police have also encouraged victims of similar incidents to come forward to aid ongoing investigations, assuring the public of confidentiality and support throughout the process.
Controversial church ritual raises serious ethical, medical, and moral questions
A viral video circulating on social media has ignited widespread condemnation after a pastor from the Democratic Republic of Congo allegedly claimed he could cure breast cancer during a church service using highly inappropriate methods.
In the footage, which has triggered intense debate across Africa and beyond, the clergyman is seen performing what he describes as a “healing ritual” on a woman while surrounded by church members and cameras. The act, broadcast as a miracle healing, has been strongly criticised by medical professionals, religious leaders, and human rights advocates.
Video: Congo Pastor Sparks Outrage After Claiming He Can Remove Breast Cancer During Church Service 8
Health experts have categorically dismissed the claims, stating that breast cancer cannot be treated or cured through physical contact or religious rituals, warning that such actions may delay proper medical care and place lives at risk.
Christian leaders across denominations have also condemned the incident, describing it as a gross abuse of spiritual authority and a betrayal of Christian values. Many argue that such acts damage the credibility of genuine faith leaders and deepen public distrust toward religious institutions.
“This is not Christianity. This is manipulation disguised as faith,” one Ghanaian pastor said during a radio discussion reacting to the footage.
Social media users have expressed anger and disappointment, with many calling for authorities in Congo to investigate the pastor for possible misconduct, exploitation, and medical misinformation. Others have urged congregants to seek professional healthcare and to be cautious of so-called miracle healers making extraordinary claims without accountability.
As the video continues to spread, the incident serves as a painful reminder of how desperation, faith, and false hope can be dangerously exploited — leaving the wider Christian community to grapple with the reputational damage caused by a few controversial figures.
University researchers embrace AI-powered scholarship and global knowledge sharing
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) continues to strengthen its position as one of Africa’s leading research institutions, following growing engagement with JSTOR’s digital academic resources.
KNUST Records Growing Academic Impact Through JSTOR Engagement and Digital Research Tools 10
Recent institutional engagement data shows that students, lecturers, and researchers at KNUST are increasingly relying on JSTOR not just for traditional journal access, but also for advanced research tools that enhance discovery, collaboration, and academic productivity.
Beyond standard article downloads, KNUST scholars actively use JSTOR’s Workspace to save, organize, and annotate academic materials for long-term research and teaching. This reflects a shift toward deeper, more intentional scholarship across disciplines including engineering, applied sciences, economics, African studies, and public policy.
Notably, the adoption of JSTOR’s AI-assisted research tools has improved how users navigate large volumes of academic literature. These tools help researchers identify relevant sources faster, summarize complex materials, and support efficient literature reviews—an advantage particularly valuable in postgraduate and faculty-led research.
KNUST’s digital research footprint has also expanded beyond campus borders. A recent scholarly article published on GhanaMedia.net served as an external referral point, directing readers to JSTOR-hosted academic resources relevant to Ghanaian and African development discourse. This highlights how credible media platforms can bridge academic research and public knowledge.
Institutional oversight of JSTOR engagement at KNUST is coordinated under the administration of Daniel Jeddman, ensuring effective access management and alignment with the university’s academic mission.
As global research increasingly moves toward digital and AI-supported environments, KNUST’s growing engagement with JSTOR demonstrates the university’s commitment to innovation, research excellence, and global academic relevance.
School authorities cite disciplinary breach as reason for decisive action
Management of Breman Asikuma Senior High School in the Central Region has reportedly taken disciplinary action against some students after they were found culpable in what school authorities described as an “adulterous act” on campus.
According to sources close to the school administration, the decision followed internal investigations into an incident that allegedly violated the institution’s code of conduct and moral guidelines. The matter was said to have been thoroughly reviewed by school authorities before the final decision to expel the students involved was reached.
While details surrounding the incident remain limited, officials insist the action was necessary to uphold discipline, protect the school’s reputation, and deter similar behaviour among the student population. The administration is believed to have followed established disciplinary procedures before arriving at the sanction.
Breman Asikuma Senior High School Students Expelled Over Alleged Adultery Act 12
The development has since triggered mixed reactions among parents, education stakeholders, and members of the public. Some have commended the school for enforcing discipline, arguing that strong measures are required to maintain moral standards in second-cycle institutions. Others, however, believe expulsion may be too harsh and are calling for counselling, rehabilitation, or alternative disciplinary measures instead.
Education analysts have also weighed in, urging school authorities nationwide to strike a balance between discipline and student welfare, especially in cases involving young people still undergoing moral and emotional development.
As of now, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has not officially commented on the incident. Further updates are expected as more details emerge regarding the circumstances surrounding the expulsion.
Court Schedules Hearings for Abu Trica and Co-Accused
A bail application has been filed at the High Court on behalf of Frederick Kumi, popularly known as Abu Trica, along with two co-accused persons, as their legal proceedings continue across two courts.
Counsel for the accused argued that the application was necessary due to what he described as “prevailing illegality” surrounding the ongoing proceedings. He emphasized that the situation cannot be allowed to persist and urged the court to consider granting bail.
Bail Application Filed for Frederick Kumi, aka Abu Trica, Amid Ongoing Legal Proceedings 14
Meanwhile, the Gbese District Court has adjourned the substantive matter to February 2, 2026. Proceedings related to the bail application are expected to continue at the High Court on January 20, 2026.
The development comes as the legal saga surrounding Abu Trica and his associates unfolds, with the public closely monitoring the progress of the case.
Fire Tender Overturns During Emergency Response in Savanna Region
Newly surfaced footage has captured the terrifying moment a Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) fire tender overturned while responding to a fire outbreak in Buipe, Savanna Region. The dramatic incident shows the vehicle losing control as it rushed to the scene.
Chilling Footage Shows Ghana Fire Service Tender Overturn in Buipe, Firefighters Rescued 16
Firefighters onboard were trapped in the wreckage, prompting an immediate rescue operation. Authorities confirmed that the personnel were later safely rescued and attended to, though the incident has raised questions about road safety and emergency response challenges in the region.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “shocking and frightening,” noting the bravery of the firefighters who were initially stranded in the overturned tender. The GNFS has launched an internal investigation to determine the cause of the accident and to ensure measures are in place to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The footage has since gone viral on social media, sparking public concern about the risks faced by Ghana’s emergency response teams. Officials are urging drivers and residents to exercise caution and make way for fire tenders and other emergency vehicles.
Newly surfaced footage captures the chilling moment a Ghana National Fire Service fire tender overturned while responding to a fire outbreak in Buipe, Savanna Region, with firefighters later rescued from the wreckage.#ghanaweb#ghanawebtvpic.twitter.com/4W9aaFQpSv
Ghana international Antoine Semenyo has hit the ground running since joining Manchester City, scoring in each of his first two games for the club. He marked his Man City debut with a goal and an assist in a 10–1 FA Cup win over Exeter City — a performance widely praised by teammates and staff.
Ghanaian Star Starts With Impact for City, Including vs Newcastle 18
Semenyo then continued his scoring form in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup semi‑final first leg away at Newcastle United, finding the net in a 1–0 victory at St James’ Park.
The Ghanaian’s early returns — two goals in two matches — underline his seamless adaptation to Pep Guardiola’s side and the immediate impact he’s having in key cup competitions.
The Akwatia Police Command in the Eastern Region has arrested a man for allegedly attempting to sell his own son for GH₵1 million, citing severe financial hardship as his motivation.
According to information shared online, the suspect was apprehended following intelligence and reports that he was actively seeking buyers for the child. The shocking development has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns about child protection, poverty, and desperation-driven crime in Ghana.
Man Arrested for Attempting to Sell His Own Son for GH₵1 Million in Akwatia 20
Sources indicate that the suspect allegedly claimed worsening economic hardship pushed him into the act. However, law enforcement authorities stress that no level of hardship justifies child trafficking or endangerment. The child has since been rescued and placed under protective care, while investigations continue.
The Akwatia Police Command is expected to pursue the case under Ghana’s laws on human trafficking and child abuse. Social welfare authorities are also reportedly involved to ensure the safety and well-being of the child.
The incident has reignited public calls for stronger social support systems, increased community vigilance, and harsher punishment for crimes involving children.
Police have assured the public that further details will be provided as investigations progress.
