Tourism
Explainer: U.S. Immigration Attorney Breaks Down What the New U.S. Immigrant Visa Processing Pause Means for Ghana, Other Countries
A newly reported U.S. immigrant visa processing pause is raising concerns across Ghana and dozens of other countries.
Following the news, families awaiting green cards face fresh uncertainty about when — or if — their applications will move forward.
Ghana is among 75 countries affected by a policy shift that pauses the processing of immigrant visas, a move first reported by multiple media outlets and later confirmed the U.S. Department of State on X.
Immigration attorney Akua Poku, founder of AK Poku Law, has offered crucial clarification on what the policy does — and does not — mean.
What Is an Immigrant Visa?
As Akua Poku explains in a video posted to Instagram, an immigrant visa is issued to individuals seeking permanent residency in the United States. Once the holder enters the U.S. on an immigrant visa, they receive a green card, granting them lawful permanent resident status.
This category is different from:
- Tourist or visitor visas
- Student visas
- Work visas
“These non-immigrant visas are not affected by the reported pause,” Poku stressed.
Who Is Affected?
Nationals of about 75 countries may be impacted. Countries first mentioned include:
- Ghana
- Nigeria
- Somalia
- Egypt
- Iran
- Afghanistan
- Russia
- Cuba
- Jamaica
- Brazil
However, Poku cautions that details may still change, and implementation could vary by U.S. embassy or consulate.
When Does the Pause Begin — and How Long Will It Last?
According to the information currently available:
- The pause is expected to take effect on January 21, 2026
- It is described as indefinite, with no clear end date
This uncertainty has left many families — particularly those already documentarily qualified and waiting for interview appointments — in limbo.
Why Is the U.S. Pausing Immigrant Visa Processing?
The reported justification centers on “public charge” concerns — the idea that some immigrants may become a financial burden on U.S. taxpayers.
Poku notes that while the White House has broadly referenced a pause on “visa processing,” most media reports specify that only immigrant visas are affected, not all visa categories. Further clarification from U.S. authorities is still expected.
What Should Affected Applicants Do?
For Ghanaians and others waiting outside the United States for green card interviews, the advice is clear: seek qualified legal guidance.
“If you or a family member are waiting for an immigrant visa interview from one of the reportedly affected countries, this is the time to get effective legal advice,” Poku said, stressing that misinformation could lead to costly mistakes.
The Bigger Picture
The reported pause shows how quickly U.S. immigration policy can shift, with significant consequences for families, employers and diaspora communities worldwide.
Until official guidance is released, applicants are advised to stay informed, avoid assumptions, and rely on verified legal updates.
Taste GH
Kuli Kuli: The Crunchy Peanut Snack That Travels Across Ghana’s Streets With Ease
There’s a particular sound that follows Kuli Kuli down Ghana’s streets—the sharp, satisfying crunch that announces its presence long before the first bite.
Made from roasted groundnuts pressed into golden sticks or small clusters, this humble snack has earned a permanent place in everyday eating across the country.
Kuli Kuli carries the deep, nutty aroma of roasted peanuts, often enriched with a subtle kick of spice depending on who prepares it. Its texture is firm and crisp, breaking cleanly between the teeth and leaving behind a rich, earthy flavour that lingers. While simple in ingredients, it delivers a depth that makes it hard to eat just one piece.
Across Ghana, Kuli Kuli is more than a snack—it’s part of the rhythm of daily life. It shows up in woven baskets at lorry stations, in transparent bowls on street corners, and in the hands of schoolchildren heading home.
Traders often pair it with roasted groundnuts or sell it alongside other street favourites, making it an easy grab for commuters, workers, and travellers.
For many, it is a quiet companion during long journeys or busy afternoons. It is filling enough to take the edge off hunger, yet light enough to eat on the move. Visitors to Ghana often discover it unexpectedly, handed over in paper wraps or sold from roadside stalls where it sits alongside familiar street foods.
Beyond its taste and convenience, Kuli Kuli also carries a health appeal rooted in its primary ingredient—groundnuts. Rich in protein and healthy fats, it has long been considered a wholesome snack in many households, especially in communities where peanuts are a dietary staple.
Simple, durable, and deeply familiar, Kuli Kuli remains one of those foods that tells a story of resourcefulness and everyday Ghanaian life—one crunchy bite at a time.
Sights and Sounds
Echoes of the Atlantic: A Walk Through the Living History of Jamestown
The salt-heavy breeze of the Gulf of Guinea tangles with the scent of woodsmoke and freshly grilled tilapia as you step into the labyrinthine alleys of Jamestown.
Above, the scarlet and white stripes of the iconic 1930s lighthouse pierce a hazy blue sky, standing as a silent sentry over a neighborhood that refused to be forgotten. To walk these streets is to feel the heartbeat of Accra—raw, rhythmic, and fiercely soulful.
Here, the past doesn’t sit behind glass; it lives in the peeling paint of colonial storefronts and the vibrant mural-lined walls that serve as the community’s open-air canvas.
The geography of Jamestown is a visual timeline of Ghana’s evolution. At the edge of the Atlantic, the Ga Mashie community thrives around the bustling fishing harbor.
From the vantage point of the old harbor walls, you can watch hundreds of hand-painted wooden pirogues, draped in colorful flags, bobbing on the surf as fishermen haul in the morning’s catch. Just a stone’s throw away, the somber, whitewashed walls of Ussher Fort and James Fort provide a stark architectural contrast.
These structures, remnants of Dutch and British colonial presence, offer a heavy but necessary reflection on the transatlantic slave trade, their dungeons echoing with centuries of history that shaped the modern world.
A walking tour here is an exercise in sensory immersion. One moment, you are navigating the narrow “Brazil House” lane, learning about the Tabom people—formerly enslaved Afro-Brazilians who returned to their ancestral home—and the next, you are surrounded by the chaotic energy of a street-side boxing gym.
Jamestown is the undisputed pugilist capital of West Africa; the rhythmic thud of gloves against heavy bags is as much a part of the local soundtrack as the highlife music drifting from corner bars.
Visitors shouldn’t miss the chance to climb the lighthouse for a panoramic view that captures the duality of the city: the old colonial footprint dissolving into the rising glass skyscrapers of the modern business district.
Jamestown demands that you slow down and engage. It is a place where a simple “Agooo” (the local way of asking for passage or attention) opens doors to hidden courtyard cafes and artisan workshops.
By the time the sun begins to dip, painting the harbor in hues of molten gold and violet, you realize that Jamestown isn’t just a destination on a map; it is a masterclass in resilience and the enduring power of community.
Taste GH
Golden, Airy, Irresistible: The Simple Magic of Bofrot
No elaborate fillings. No icing. Just nutmeg, a whisper of sugar, and decades of street-side perfection.
There’s a moment just before dawn in Accra when the air changes—still thick with harmattan dust but suddenly split by the sweet, yeasty whisper of bofrot hitting hot oil. That scent is an alarm clock no one resists.
For the uninitiated: bofrot is Ghana’s golden-fried dough ball, airy as a cloud, crisp on the outside, and tender within. No elaborate fillings. No icing. Just nutmeg, a whisper of sugar, and decades of street-side perfection.
Vendors pile them high in woven baskets near lorry parks, school gates, and market corners. A small bag costs pocket change, yet it fuels everyone from office workers to toddlers tugging at their mothers’ skirts.
Unlike heavier doughnuts, bofrot is surprisingly light—no greasy linger. It’s vegan by tradition, making it an accidental ally for plant-based travelers.
You’ll see Ghanaians tearing pieces to dip into koko (spiced millet porridge) at breakfast or eating them plain as a 4 p.m. pick-me-up. At weddings and outdoorings (naming ceremonies), bofrot arrives in pyramids, a quiet symbol of hospitality and joy.
@akosuahstastyrecipe NO FAIL GHANAIAN BOFROT🇬🇭 ✅INGREDIENTS 3 cups hard flour 1 cup sugar 1 pack instant yeast 1/2 teaspoon salt 1-2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg 1 and half cup lukewarm water 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Oil for frying ✅NOTE Please make sure the water you will use for the yeast is lukewarm not hot #ghanatiktok🇬🇭 #fyp #foodblogger #viral_video #accra #foodies #homemade #bofrot #puff #puffpuff #doughnut @Flottycastiron_and_kitchen ♬ Big Baller – Flavour
Visitors often ask, “Is it just puff puff?” Close, but not quite. Bofrot has a tighter crumb, a deeper caramel blush, and a distinct Ghanaian soul.
Try one from a Mamprobi street cart, steam still rising. You’ll understand why no recipe book can replicate the rhythm of the woman who’s flipped a million of them—her wrist flicking dough into oil like she’s telling time. That’s the real secret.
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