馃嚞馃嚟GhanaWest Africa
Ireland deports 42 South African nationals in immigration enforcement operation
via GhanaWeb1 min read
Irish authorities have deported 42 South African nationals who were residing in Ireland without legal permission. The group, consisting of nine men, 18 women, and 15 children, was transported on a chartered flight from Dublin Airport to South Africa. The deportations were executed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau following official deportation orders. Officials stated that two of the individuals had criminal convictions in Ireland. Ireland's Minister for Justice, Jim O鈥機allaghan, emphasized that the country's immigration system must remain "rules-based and robust," and that enforcement actions like deportations are crucial for the system's effective functioning and to maintain public confidence in immigration laws. He also noted that most South Africans in Ireland are living there legally.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
United States immigration lawyer Benedicta Agyemang has disclosed that the son of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta initiated a petition for his father to obtain permanent residency in the United States. According to Agyemang, Ofori-Atta's son has been instrumental in the efforts to secure US residency for his father, despite corruption allegations Ofori-Atta faces in Ghana. This revelation follows a favorable ruling from a United States immigration court on June 16, 2026, which approved Ofori-Atta's application to adjust his immigration status, bringing him closer to lawful permanent residency. His lawyer, Frank Davies, stated that the court considered criminal investigations and charges against Ofori-Atta in Ghana during its assessment. A witness with expertise in international policing and Interpol procedures reportedly presented evidence raising concerns about the process used by Ghanaian authorities in the case. However, the US court ruling does not impact the allegations Ofori-Atta continues to face in Ghana.
Dr Clement Abaa Apaak, Member of Parliament for Builsa South, has defended the timing of former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo's resignation, asserting that no law was violated. This comes amidst questions regarding the formal acceptance and public disclosure of her decision. Dr Apaak explained that a government spokesperson clarified that Sophia Akuffo submitted her resignation in September 2025. The President initially delayed accepting it following an intervention by the Council of State, which aimed to facilitate dialogue and potential reconciliation. Dr Apaak dismissed concerns about the legality of the process, stating that the timing of the announcement did not constitute a breach of law or an infraction. He also noted that Sophia Akuffo had not communicated her reasons for resigning to the Presidency and cautioned against speculating on her motives, emphasizing that the true reasons are known only to her.
The United States Air Force has announced the arrival of its new VC-25B Bridge aircraft, a modified executive jet designed to transport the US president and function as a secure airborne command post. This luxury Boeing 747-8, donated by the Qatari government and transferred to the Pentagon in 2025, will serve as an interim presidential aircraft while Boeing completes the next generation of Air Force One planes. The VC-25B Bridge has joined the Presidential Airlift Group at Joint Base Andrews and will undergo commissioning flights before full operational service. Painted in a red, white, and blue livery, it will support presidential travel as the aging VC-25A fleet undergoes maintenance. The aircraft emphasizes safety, security, and communications, ensuring the president remains connected and capable of performing constitutional duties globally. Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink stated that the safety and security of the commander in chief is the highest priority. Unlike a conventional passenger aircraft, the VC-25B Bridge is equipped with advanced secure communications systems and specialized technologies for presidential protection and uninterrupted command-and-control. Mission requirements prioritized functionality over aesthetics, resulting in minimal changes to the interior layout but significant upgrades to security and communication systems. Commissioning flights will validate capabilities and finalize procedures. The US Air Force conducted extensive training for p