President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned Ghanaians not to let the excitement of the FIFA World Cup in 2026 lead to visa infractions. He issued the warning during his second State of the Nation Address in Parliament on February 27, 2026.
“It is my hope that the FIFA 2026 World Cup will not turn into a ‘visa ban’ for thousands of Ghanaians traveling to America and refusing to return, which could put Ghana back on the U.S. ban list,” Mahama said.
The President explained that his administration had worked diligently to restore Ghana’s five-year non-immigrant visas after earlier violations resulted in restrictions. He urged supporters planning to attend the tournament to apply properly through the U.S. Embassy and to return home once their visas expire.
“We must ensure that everyone who travels returns safely on their visas,” he added.
Mahama emphasized that participation in major sporting events is vital for national branding, economic growth, and international recognition. Ghana’s 2026 sporting calendar extends beyond the FIFA Men’s World Cup, with the Black Queens competing in the Women’s African Cup of Nations, a youth team heading to the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, and athletes preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
He concluded by stressing that responsible travel and adherence to international regulations are essential to safeguarding Ghana’s hard-won access to global sporting opportunities.
Ghana was previously placed on the U.S. visa ban list due to violations by travelers, but the government has since restored the five-year non-immigrant visa arrangement, lifting the restrictions.
Would you like me to condense this into a sharp, headline-ready piece for front-page coverage, or keep it as a longer parliamentary-style report with more background on Ghana’s sporting calendar?
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