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President John Dramani Mahama officially launched Ghana’s first electronic visa (e-Visa) service portal on May 25, 2026. The system replaces visa-on-arrival for African passport holders, who can now apply online without fees and receive a decision within 48 hours. Parallel to this, the President announced that by August 2026, Kotoka International Airport will deploy advanced 3D scanning technology, ending the requirement for passengers to remove shoes and belts during security checks in Terminals 2 and 3.
These reforms aim to reduce bureaucratic friction and improve the traveler experience, which is critical for the administration's goal of making Ghana the primary aviation gateway for West Africa. However, non-African travelers face a significant cost hurdle with a $260 application fee.
Since taking office in January 2025, the Mahama administration has prioritized digital integration. This e-visa rollout follows through on campaign promises to facilitate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by easing movement for continental investors.
The National Information Technology Agency (NITA) is facing severe pushback from the tech community over a draft bill that would mandate licenses for ICT professionals and businesses. Analysts like Bright Simons warn the bill's broad definitions could criminalize young developers operating without government certification and impose a one percent levy on ICT services.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Technology has scheduled an X Spaces discussion for late May 2026 to address industry fears. The outcome will signal whether the government favors strict oversight or a free-market innovation environment.
The Court of Appeal has unanimously ordered the restoration of the GN Savings and Loans license, quashing the 2019 revocation by the Bank of Ghana (BoG). Groupe Nduom reports that 4,500 jobs were lost during the nearly seven-year closure. Separately, the IMF has endorsed the BoG's recent GHc15.6 billion (~$1.35 billion USD) loss as a necessary cost for stabilizing the economy and curbing inflation.
The court ruling suggests a strengthening of judicial oversight over regulatory bodies. While the BoG faces a negative equity position of GHc93.82 billion (~$8.11 billion USD), its gross international reserves remain robust at US$14.42 billion, providing a buffer for the cedi.
The reopening of GN Savings, starting with the Elmina branch by late 2026, could restore credit access for thousands of small businesses that were paralyzed by the 2019 clean-up.
The Ghana cedi is facing renewed pressure, depreciating 10.28% YTD with retail rates hitting GHc12.51 (~$1.08 USD) per dollar. Meanwhile, MTN Ghana announced a new 0.75% fee on transfers from MoMo wallets to bank accounts starting June 1, 2026, capped at GHc5 (~$0.43 USD).
Your remittances currently benefit from high exchange rates, but be aware of the new MoMo-to-bank fees when transferring funds within Ghana for family members. The GHc5 cap minimizes impact on large transfers but adds costs for frequent small transactions.
The Ghana Association of Radiologists reports that 4 million adults (13% of the population) now have chronic kidney disease. This is largely attributed to the ingestion of heavy metals like mercury and cyanide from rivers polluted by galamsey (illegal mining). In response, the EPA has announced a total ban on polystyrene (Styrofoam) takeaway packs effective January 1, 2027.
Galamsey is a persistent illegal mining activity that has devastated the Pra, Birim, and Ankobra rivers. Despite various military and task force interventions over the years, pollution levels remain critical, now manifesting as a national organ-failure epidemic.
The surge in pediatric kidney cases is particularly worrying, with experts linking congenital abnormalities to maternal exposure to toxic mining chemicals.
Police arrested 74 suspects in a major narcotics sweep in Paga and Navrongo, targeting cross-border criminal networks. Separately, a community bridge collapsed in Meteu (Wa West District) following heavy rains, cutting off farmers and schoolchildren. In the Volta Region, three people died in a fatal crash at Woadze near Kpeve.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has scheduled power outages for May 26 in parts of the Eastern, Accra, and Tema regions for maintenance. Expect localized disruptions to business operations.
South Africa: Ghana has confirmed the phased evacuation of 200-300 nationals from South Africa following a resurgence of xenophobic violence. The first batch is expected to arrive in Accra on Wednesday.
Senegal: President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has appointed Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as the new Prime Minister amid a financial crisis where debt-to-GDP has reached 132%. The move follows the dismissal of populist leader Ousmane Sonko.
Health Alert: The WHO warns that an Ebola outbreak (Bundibugyo strain) in the DRC and Uganda is outpacing response efforts, with over 220 suspected deaths. Ghana’s health directorate has begun assessing preparedness at Kotoka Airport.
FIFA has issued a disclaimer against 'Match Experience Hospitality' in Accra, stating the firm is not authorized to sell tickets or hospitality packages for the 2026 World Cup. Fans are urged to use only official FIFA channels to avoid fraud.
National Pride: Uganda’s famous dance troupe, the Ghetto Kids, have been confirmed to perform alongside Shakira at the 2026 FIFA World Cup halftime show, highlighting East African talent on the global stage.
Today we covered the launch of Ghana's transformative E-Visa portal, the judicial restoration of GN Savings and Loans, and the alarming health data linking illegal mining to a surge in kidney disease. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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