The chaotic scenes erupted at the Vicsem Hotel in Ogbojo, a suburb of Accra, as Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) officers forcibly evicted over 20 West African nationals—deportees from the United States—leading to physical confrontations and at least one medical emergency.

The incident, captured in widely shared videos, highlights escalating tensions in Ghana’s role as a “third-country” landing point for U.S. deportations under a controversial bilateral agreement.

Deportees, many fearing return to unstable homelands, resisted relocation, with officers resorting to dragging some individuals across the floor amid pleas for mercy.

The agreement, announced in early October 2025 by Ghanaian President John Mahama, allows the U.S. to deport non-Ghanaian West Africans (primarily from Nigeria, Togo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia) to Ghana instead of their countries of origin, citing “pan-African empathy” and regional free movement protocols. No financial incentives are involved, but Ghana commits to temporary housing before onward transfers—often secretive and criticized as abandonment.

Deportees arrive shackled on U.S. military flights after U.S. immigration hearings, then face Ghanaian military camps with reported substandard conditions: limited healthcare, poor sanitation, and inadequate water.

Previous incidents have fueled outrage:

• In late September 2025, a group of six deportees (five Nigerians and one Liberian) was moved from a Ghanaian camp under false pretenses of “better accommodation,” only to be secretly bused across the border to Togo and left near Lomé without passports, funds, or notification to Togolese authorities—allegedly after bribing local police.
• A September lawsuit by U.S.-based lawyers represents 11 deportees, alleging rights violations including 16-hour flights in straitjackets, illegal detention, and family separations (e.g., leaving behind U.S.-born children and homes). Similar suits target Ghana for complicity.
• Human rights groups decry the policy as a U.S. “dumping ground” tactic, evading direct repatriation to nations like Nigeria, which has rejected such returns over persecution fears (e.g., for activists tied to groups like the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement). Ghana’s opposition demands parliamentary ratification, warning of becoming a “transit hub for undesirables.”

The eviction aimed to relocate the group from the hotel—temporary quarters after initial camp stays—for final transfers home. Witnesses described a step-by-step escalation:

1. Arrival and Resistance: GIS officers entered the hotel around midday, ordering immediate evacuation. Deportees, including long-term U.S. residents, protested, citing no family ties or safety in their origin countries.
2. Confrontation: A Sierra Leonean woman, a registered nurse who lived in the U.S. for 35 years, begged officers: “I have no relatives in Sierra Leone—please let me stay in Ghana.” Her pleas were ignored, triggering an asthma attack.
3. Use of Force: Videos show officers dragging her and others to the ground, with physical scuffles involving shoving and restraint. No arrests were reported, but the woman’s health scare prompted brief intervention; she received unspecified aid on-site.
4. Outcome: Most deportees were loaded into vehicles for dispersal, though exact destinations remain unclear. No official GIS statement has been issued, but sources indicate the action aligns with the agreement’s repatriation timeline. The hotel, a modest facility, was secured post-incident.

The Ghanaian government has officially announced a 30% reduction in the standard passport application fee, dropping it from GH¢500 to GH¢350 for a 32-page ordinary passport.

Ghana Reduces Passport
Fee by 30% to GHS 350
from November 13

This move, directed by President John Dramani Mahama, aims to make travel documents more affordable and accessible for Ghanaians amid rising living costs, while upholding security standards.

Effective Date and Implementation

• The new fee takes effect on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
• Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed the change on November 9, 2025, with an amendment to the Fees and Charges Regulations (L.I. 2023) to be presented to Parliament soon for formal approval.

The fee was hiked to GH¢500 in April 2024 under the previous administration, sparking public complaints about affordability and processing delays.

This reduction reverses part of that increase and aligns with broader government efforts to ease essential service costs.

Alongside the fee cut, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is rolling out enhancements to improve efficiency:

1. Chip-embedded e-passports: Upgrading from current biometric versions for better security and global compliance.
2. 24-hour processing service: Available round-the-clock at passport offices.
3. Door-to-door delivery: Passports will be couriered directly to applicants, with verification via Ghana Card upon receipt.
4. E-tracking system: Online monitoring of application status.
5. Expanded access: All 16 regional passport offices to be fully operational by December 2025, reducing wait times to an average of 15 days.

This comes as a great news for first-time applicants, low-income earners, and those needing passports for work, education, or family travel.

The 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards took place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the historic Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, this years award  marked a significant shift as the event moved outside Accra for the first time to promote national inclusivity.

The awards was held under the patronage of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, which drew a constellation of dignitaries, including President John Dramani Mahama as the special guest and keynote speaker, Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, and KGL Group Executive Chairman Alex Apau Dadey.

The theme, “Safeguarding Ghana’s Future: The Role of the Media in Promoting Peace, Security, and the Fight Against Galamsey,” underscored the media’s pivotal role in tackling environmental degradation, social stability, and governance challenges posed by illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).

Key Highlights from the Ceremony

Awards and Winners: From 321 competitive entries, standout honorees included:

• Journalist of the Year: Godwin Asediba (TV3/3FM), recognized for his investigative human-interest stories amplifying marginalized voices.
• Sports Journalist of the Year: Muftawu Nabila Abdulai (JoySports), securing the award for the second consecutive year.
• Student Journalist of the Year: Clinton Yeboah (Luv FM), repeating his win from the previous edition.
• Best Illegal Mining Reporting: Ohemeng Tawiah (Luv FM), for impactful coverage on galamsey’s toll.
• Best Radio/TV Programme in Ghanaian Languages: Ekosiisen (Asempa FM).
• The Multimedia Group Limited (MGL) dominated with multiple wins across categories like current affairs, sports, and investigative journalism, reinforcing its leadership in Ghanaian media.

The evening opened with a somber minute of silence for journalists killed in the line of duty and those injured in recent anti-galamsey operations. Notably, three MGL journalists were hospitalized following an attack by illegal miners during an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raid in Obuasi, Ashanti Region.

The GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour highlighted these perils, calling for government support for medical bills and safety protocols. President Mahama directed his Chief of Staff to cover the costs, emphasizing: “My administration will not tolerate any form of intimidation or attacks on journalists.”

Mahama’s Vow: A Crackdown on Galamsey

In his keynote address, President Mahama recommitted to an unrelenting battle against galamsey, describing it as an existential threat to Ghana’s water bodies, forests, and public health. He pledged “bold, irreversible actions” including:

• Deployment of advanced surveillance tech and dedicated anti-galamsey task forces.
• Establishment of special courts for swift prosecution of offenders.
• Enhanced protection for whistleblowers and journalists covering the issue.

Mahama also defended pending legislation like the Cybersecurity and Misinformation Bills as tools to combat falsehoods, not stifle press freedom, while vowing to shield media workers from harassment. His words resonated with the theme, framing journalism as a bulwark against environmental sabotage.

Broader Calls to Action

GJA President Dwumfour amplified the urgency, urging:

• The Asantehene to wield his influence for community-led anti-galamsey drives.
• Police to expedite probes into attacks on reporters and officials, demanding public briefings from the Inspector General.
• A national policy shift toward “irreversible” commitments, beyond rhetoric.

The event, preceded by a welcome reception at Lancaster Hotel on November 7, blended celebration with advocacy, signaling a media landscape more intertwined with Ghana’s sustainability struggles.

As galamsey continues to ravage rivers like the Pra and Ankobra, the awards serve as both a beacon of journalistic valor and a rallying cry for collective resolve.