Under the Visa Bond requirement, which is part of efforts by the US government to prevent visa overstays, citizens of the affected countries are required to pay a bond of either $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, starting January 21, 2026. “Any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond for $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. Applicants must agree to the terms of the bond through the Department of the Treasury’s online payment platform, Pay.gov. Applicants should submit Form I-352 to post a bond only after a consular officer directs them to do so. Know all the 19 African countries affected by US visa suspension from January 1, 2026It added, “A bond does not guarantee visa issuance.

The Governor directly linked the currency’s strength to a dramatic improvement in the nation’s economic fundamentals. “We are happy to report that the cedi ended the year in a much stronger position than many would have anticipated a year earlier. “This outcome reflects not only improved sentiment, but also better fundamentals, stronger reserves, reduced inflation, and restored policy credibility,” he said. That is why we see the cedi’s performance not as a victory lap, but as a responsibility,” Dr Asiama said. Dr Asiama assured that the BoG remains committed to playing its role “firmly, independently, and professionally” to ensure that economic gains become durable and inclusive.

Sports News of Thursday, 8 January 2026Source: ghanasoccernet.comNigeria’s Minister of Finance, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, has confirmed significant progress in resolving outstanding bonus payments for the Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This clears the way for the team to resume training in full focus on their quarter-final clash against Algeria on January 10, 2026. She added that a fast-track conversion process has been implemented to move funds into foreign currency in line with players’ preferences. The update follows reports earlier this week of training disruptions by the Super Eagles over unpaid bonuses, which had raised concerns about preparations for the knockout stage of the tournament. With the issue now resolved, the Super Eagles are expected to travel to Marrakesh to continue preparations for quarter-final encounter against Algeria, as they chase a place in the semi-finals and a potential title run at AFCON 2025.

Business News of Thursday, 8 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Ghanaian cedi remained under some pressure on Thursday, January 8, 2026, posting mixed results against major foreign currencies as traders reacted to movements in the forex market. At the Bank of Ghana’s interbank window, the cedi traded at GH¢10.66 (buying) and GH¢10.67 (selling) to the US dollar. On the interbank market, the cedi also traded at GH¢14.38 to the British pound and GH¢12.47 to the euro. Cedi begins first Monday of 2026 trading at GH¢10.50 to $1These rates show a slight weakening from Wednesday’s interbank dollar rate of about GH¢10.61-10.62. Overall, the data suggests the cedi has been moving within a narrow range on the official interbank market, while rates at forex bureaus remain much higher.

Politics of Thursday, 8 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comNPP Member of Parliament for Trobu, Gloria Owusu, has urged NPP delegates to vote massively for former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on January 31 as the NPP's 2028 flagbearer. "Yesterday, I had the honour of welcoming Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to the Trobu Constituency as he wrapped up his Greater Accra Tour. In a warm gesture of love and support, some delegates presented foodstuffs as a gift to Dr Bawumia, symbolising unity and appreciation." Ahead of the NPP primaries at the end of this month, the MP wished Dr Bawumia "continued success as we build momentum toward victory." "Together, we move forward for a stronger NPP and a better Ghana," she concluded and added and urged delegates to "Vote Number 3'" and "win with Bawumia."

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General News of Thursday, 8 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comA heart-wrenching and devastating news has emerged of how a couple has been arrested in Tripoli, Libya, for torturing a boy in a dastardly way till his death. The couple, believed to be of Ghanaian and Nigerian origin, are reported to have brutally tortured the boy - an orphan, until he died. According to details shared by The Libya Observer on its Facebook page, the couple were arrested on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. "Police in Tripoli have arrested a foreign couple for torturing and starving to death an orphaned child," the post read. Another online user under one of the posts online also claimed that the boy's father also died in 2025.

I rushed to the police station to meet her with one guy she claims was an ex of hers. He worked things out behind the scenes and made my wife talk to the person so the person was convinced he was a lady. The person sent the money and my wife got GH¢150,000, which I never knew or heard of. The guy later snitched that he didn’t work alone, and that my wife was his accomplice. I’ve always known something was up; I just didn’t know it was this much.

Sports News of Thursday, 8 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe quarter-final stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) features some of the continent’s top teams battling for a place in the semi-finals. Later that evening, host nation Morocco will face Cameroon in a cagey encounter, as the North African side dreams of making history by winning the title. That same evening, AFCON record holders Egypt will take on 2023 champions Côte d’Ivoire at the Stade Adrar at 19:00 GMT. Mohamed Salah will be hoping his side emerges victorious so he can lift the trophy for the first time in his career. The 2025 AFCON is scheduled to conclude on January 18, 2026, in Morocco.

General News of Thursday, 8 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Weija Sector Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has arrested 11 foreign nationals for their alleged involvements in counterfeit money printing and cyber fraud activities at a residential apartment at Tuba, a suburb of Accra. According to a press release dated January 7, 2026, the suspects were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Anti-Human Trafficking and Cyber Fraud Taskforce Unit of the Weija Sector Command on January 5, 2026. “Suspects were apprehended during an intelligent-led operation conducted by the Anti-Human Trafficking and Cyber Fraud Taskforce Unit of the Weija Sector Command, on January 5, 2026,” the statement said. GIS hands over officer to police over alleged ammunition traffickingThe Ghana Immigration Service commended members of the public for their continuous support and cooperation, urging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving foreigners in their communities to law enforcement agencies. The service further cautioned landlords and property owners to exercise due diligence when renting their properties to foreign nationals, noting that harbouring illegal immigrants constitutes an offence under Section 52(1)(b) of the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).

General News of Wednesday, 7 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comFormer Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to a public notice by his lawyers, on January 7, 2026, the former finance minister was arrested in relation to the status of his current stay in the United States. “The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as of yesterday (6 January 2026), detained the former Minister for Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, regarding the status of his current stay in the United States. His US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously,” part of the public notice signed by Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo read. His legal team is in contact with ICE and working to resolve the matter as expeditiously as possible,” the public notice issued by Mr Ofori-Atta’s lawyers further read.

Politics of Thursday, 8 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comPrivate legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has said that the late President John Evans Atta Mills was the best leader of Ghana’s Fourth Republic. Speaking in an interview on JoyPrime, Kpebu praised the former president for his integrity and firm anti-corruption stance, stating that he would “without hesitation” choose Atta Mills as the best president of the period, despite his short tenure. “Atta Mills never took our pesewa. Kpebu further shared an incident which occurred at the Tema Port in 2011, where customs officers allegedly fled upon President Mills’ unexpected arrival. He further suggested that the character of Atta Mills’ leadership influenced international engagement, noting that it contributed to former US President Barack Obama’s decision to visit Ghana.

General News of Thursday, 8 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Forestry Commission has vehemently condemned the killing of one of its staff, Raphael Ganyo, a Resource Guard of the Wildlife Division stationed at the Kalakpa Resource Reserve in the Volta Region. Ganyo was fatally shot in the early hours of January 6, 2026, while on patrol duty near Zitoe Camp. The Forestry Commission is working closely with the Ghana Police Service to identify and apprehend the perpetrator. He was employed by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission on November 1, 2021, as a Resource Guard and served as a member of the Law Enforcement Unit until his untimely demise. The Forestry Commission extends its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Mr Raphael Ganyo.

A search of the official website of the Department of Homeland Security showed that “Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta” was “in ICE custody”. Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta is the full name of the embattled former finance minister, who has been declared a fugitive by the OSP and placed on an Interpol Red Alert. More details of the facility show that detainees are not allowed to receive calls from the general public. Termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC) for the Distribution, Loss Reduction, and Associated Network Improvement Project. Payments and utilisation of funds from the Tax Refund Account of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

Business News of Thursday, 8 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comGhana’s inflation rate dropped sharply to 5.4% in December 2025, down from 6.3% in November and a dramatic fall from the 23.8% recorded in December 2024, according to the latest data from the Ghana Statistical Service. Announcing the figures on January 7, 2026, Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu described the development as a major milestone in restoring price stability, with inflation now well within the Bank of Ghana’s medium-term target band of 8%. The steep slowdown, from nearly 24% a year ago to single digits, signals growing macroeconomic stability and is expected to boost confidence among households, businesses, and investors by making costs more predictable. Inflation for November drops to 6.3%For many households, the slowdown in inflation could mean more stable food prices and fewer sudden increases in the cost of basic necessities. The easing of inflation could also create room for lower interest rates, making borrowing cheaper for individuals and businesses.