By Gloria Amoh
The U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, has reassured students and addressed concerns about the U.S.A. visa process.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Education U.S.A. College Fair in Accra on September 13, 2024, Virginia Palmer highlighted the strong relationship between the U.S.A. and Ghana, as demonstrated by the presence of 60 American universities at the college fair.
She emphasised the exceptional quality of Ghanaian students, who are recognised globally for their academic strengths. She pointed out that Ghana is the second-largest sender of students from sub-Saharan Africa to the U.S., despite being much smaller in population than Nigeria, the largest sender.
Ambassador Virginia Palmer encouraged students to interact with the university representatives and assured them that studying in the U.S.A. will offer a warm welcome, challenging education, and valuable skills like critical thinking. This education will prepare them for global opportunities and enrich their future.
Touching on the visa process, she reassured students that efforts are underway to reduce the backlog and ensure timely visa appointments before classes begin.
“The U.S. consular section has made significant progress, conducting thousands of interviews over the summer to facilitate student travel.”
She further underscored the long-standing educational ties between the U.S.A and Ghana, noting that many prominent Ghanaian leaders have studied in America.
“The hope is that more students will take this opportunity to study abroad, strengthening the relationship between the two nations for future generations,” she added.
