President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has approved a new policy allowing visa-free entry to Ghana for all African nationals, fulfilling a promise he made earlier this year.

The initiative is expected to be implemented before the end of his term on January 6, 2025.

With this move, Ghana will join Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin as one of the few African nations offering unrestricted visa-free access to all African passport holders.

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The policy is seen as a significant step toward promoting free movement across the continent, enhancing trade, and deepening economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

President Akufo-Addo announced the policy during his keynote address at the 2024 Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) held in Accra.

Speaking under the theme “Developing Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value, and Trade,” he highlighted the challenges Africans face when traveling within the continent.

“Many of you had to acquire a visa to attend this event,” he said, emphasizing the barriers to intra-African mobility.

He described the visa-free policy as a solution to these challenges and a critical step toward achieving the goals of the AfCFTA.

“The free movement of people is essential for stimulating intra-African trade and fostering collaboration across borders,” Akufo-Addo added, noting that the policy aligns with Ghana’s broader vision of promoting economic growth through integration.

The visa-free initiative is expected to enhance Ghana’s standing in the region, making it easier for African nationals to travel, trade, and collaborate.

By eliminating visa requirements, Ghana aims to position itself as a leader in continental integration, creating opportunities for deeper economic ties with other African nations.

The policy also underscores Ghana’s commitment to the AfCFTA, which seeks to establish a unified market for goods and services across Africa.

Officials believe this move will attract businesses and encourage cross-border trade, ultimately boosting the continent’s economy.

The Ghanaian government has begun taking steps to implement the policy, with full rollout expected before the end of Akufo-Addo’s presidency.

Officials are updating immigration procedures to accommodate the new framework and ensure a smooth transition.

President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the initiative during his address.

“We are taking concrete steps to ensure that this policy becomes a reality this year,” he stated, signaling that the groundwork for implementation is already underway.

President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to take sweeping actions against what he described as “transgender lunacy,” signaling a push to reverse policies protecting transgender individuals in schools, sports, and the military.

Speaking at the AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Trump outlined his administration’s priorities, stating, “I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military, and out of our elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.”

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He also vowed to “keep men out of women’s sports” and asserted, “It will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”

The president-elect’s remarks come amid growing national debate over transgender rights, with states divided over issues such as gender-affirming medical care and the inclusion of books addressing transgender topics in schools.

The controversy escalated last week when Congress passed a defense budget provision blocking funding for certain gender-affirming care for the children of service members.

Trump’s speech drew strong reactions, with critics warning that his policies could strip essential protections from transgender individuals.

Civil rights advocates have raised concerns about the implications of these proposals on marginalized communities.

In addition to his focus on cultural issues, Trump used the event to outline his vision for the nation under his leadership.

He described his presidency as a turning point, promising to address international conflicts and restore American dominance.

“On January 20, the United States will turn the page forever on four long, horrible years of failure, incompetence, national decline, and we will inaugurate a new era of peace, prosperity, and national greatness,” Trump declared, referring to his upcoming swearing-in.

He pledged to end the war in Ukraine, stabilize the Middle East, and avert global conflict. “I will stop the chaos in the Middle East, and I will prevent, I promise, World War III,” he said.

The president-elect also reiterated his commitment to reclaiming control of the Panama Canal and combating crime linked to illegal immigration.

“I can proudly proclaim that the golden age of America is upon us,” Trump concluded.

A Madrid court on Friday handed down a sentence of more than four years in prison to Rodrigo Rato, the former chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Spain’s ex-economy minister.

Rato was convicted of multiple charges, including tax crimes, money laundering, and corruption.

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The court found Rato guilty of “three offences against the treasury, one offence of money laundering, and one offence of corruption between individuals,” according to an official statement.

Details shortly………..