Andrew Stegmann
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Immigration changes in Ghana and Nigeria

GHANA | Recent Announcement Requires Medical Certificates to Be Obtained In-Country 

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) recently posted a brief announcement of a new policy – purportedly with an effective date of February 15 – requiring all new applicants for work and residence permits to obtain medical certificates only through the GIS medical facility at its headquarters in Ghana. Previously, medical certificates in support of a work permit applications could be issued by a local doctor in the applicant’s home country.

The practical implication of the announcement and new policy is somewhat unclear, as work permit applications are typically made before the applicant travels to Ghana. If this new policy is implemented, it will have significant impact for the work permit application process. Immigration Specialists in Ghana are struggling to sort-out the new policy; however, thus far, the GIS has released no further guidance.

 

 

NIGERIA | New Executive Order Imposes Tougher Local Hiring Measures
On February 2, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari signed an executive order (EO5) aimed at promoting local Nigerian expertise in science, engineering, and technology. EO5 prohibits the federal Ministry of Interior (FMI) from issuing visas to foreign workers whose skills are deemed to be readily available in Nigeria. Consideration of work visas will only be given to foreign nationals where has been certified by the appropriate governmental authority that such expertise is not available in Nigeria. Under the order, Nigerian government agencies must also give hiring preference to foreign companies and firms with demonstrable and verifiable plans for indigenous development.

While further guidelines and directives on the implementation of EO5 are expected from the authorities, the executive order is expected to have significant impact on the employment-based immigration of foreign nationals, especially in fields of science, engineering, and technology. Companies hiring foreign workers should expect more rigorous scrutiny of applications for expatriate quotas and the stricter application of requirements such as the understudies requirement, registration with professional bodies, and more onsite visits and audits by Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

 

Source

Andrew Stegmann

ANC Leaders Recalled Zuma. The President Refused To Go.

After a 13-hour meeting that stretched from yesterday into the early hours of this morning, the six seniormost leaders of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) decided to instruct South African President Jacob Zuma to resign immediately.

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa and Secretary General Ace Magashule then drove to Zuma’s official residence in Pretoria to give him an ultimatum to resign or face a recall. The President refused to resign.

Zuma is said to have demanded to stay on at the Union Buildings for another three months, to attend at least two upcoming events. The NEC rejected his conditions.

Now, it is up to Parliament to remove the President by means of a motion of no confidence vote. The EFF, an opposition party, has tabled such a vote, and requested that Speaker Baleka Mbete inform the public of a date for the vote by 10am today. A majority ‘leave’ vote would be required out of all Members of Parliament to remove the President.

Zuma is facing over 700 corruption charges, with an imminent announcement by Shaun Abrahams, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, as to whether the President will be prosecuted.

In light of recent developments – with growing economic uncertainty, political instability, and pressure from the public – those on the NEC who do not persist with support for Zuma are eager to resolve the matter of his exit. Doing so would boost investor confidence, stabilize Parliament, allow for the 2018 State of the Nation Address to take place, and give SA citizens the sense of relief they deserve after a number of tumultuous years.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image source: [1].

Andrew Stegmann
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Relocation Africa Attending EuRA Conference 2018

The 2018 EuRA International Relocation Conference will be taking place during 25 to 27 April at the Dubrovnik Sun Gardens Hotel in Dubrovnik, Croatia. 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the Conference, and as such, some great celebrations have been lined up to mark the event.

Dubrovnik is situated in the south of Croatia, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea. It has a small population of just over 42,000, and houses many important monuments. As of 1979, part of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. For more information about Dubrovnik, visit TripAdvisor or a recent Vogue travel guide for the city.

Relocation Africa Director Rene Stegmann will be in attendance. To arrange to meet, visit our Calendly link, and choose a day and time slot. Alternatively, email marketing@relocationafrica.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1]. [2], [3], [4], [5]. Image source: [1].

Andrew Stegmann

Ghana Begins Water Rationing

The state-owned Ghana Water Company Ltd. has announced that because of severe dry winter winds and the drying up of rivers, water deliveries will be rationed over the coming months while the country awaits the rain.

The company has stated the cause of the shortages to be bad farming practices, the illegal felling of trees, illegal small-scale gold mining, and pollution of the country’s water bodies.

In a recent interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra, Stanley Martey, communications director of Ghana Water Company, revealed that with the exception of the eastern and the Ashanti regions, all regions in Ghana will have water rationed. Martey dismissed charges that Ghana Water Company was responsible for the dire water crisis.

According to residents, most of the rivers in the northern region have dried up completely.

Ghana Water Company has said that a timetable will be released soon to guide consumers as to when taps will be turned off, and that no community will go without water for more than two consecutive days.

Meanwhile, some 23.1 million Ghanaians, representing 73 percent of the 27 million population, are using water that does not meet the benchmark of Sustainable Development Goal requirements of at-home availability, reliable and contaminant-free drinking water. Only 3.9 million Ghanaians have access to drinking water that meets the requirements.

With increasing populations and climate change negatively impacting the adequate supply of fresh water in numerous countries around the world at present, lawmakers, corporations, and citizens are having to become increasingly inventive with how they reduce their usage.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Source: Lisa Vives/Global Information Network [1]. Image source: [1].