Ghana tops U.S. visa lottery
Title
Ghana tops U.S. visa lottery
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2
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Acquiring a U.S. entry visa is regarded by many as a very difficult procedure. So the presentation of an opportunity like the lottery is very welcome in Ghana, as in many other Third World countries. Once in the United States, those who were able to acquire the work permit soon forget the travail they went through.
The lotto system, through which the fortunate ones are given the nod to enter and work in the U.S., offers a rare opportunity for prospective immigrants. Every year, many Ghanaians, both old and young, try their luck as they apply for the visa lotto.
Reports coming in from U.S. sources, as well as the Accra-based, independent daily the Daily Dispatch, has it that Ghana, which has a population of about 20 million, topped the 2003 Visa Lottery worldwide.
Ghana, the Dispatch continues, had 6,333 winners, followed by Nigeria, which recorded 5,989 winners. The top ten include Ethiopia, 5,562; Bangladesh, 4,935; Ukraine, 4,035; Poland, 3,855; Kenya, 3,194; Sierra Leone, 3,096, Morocco, 3,083; and Bulgaria, 2,843.
According to Dispatch Editor Ben Ephson, who once reported for the BBC (British Broadcasting Company), an embassy press release stated that about 8,700 applicants have been registered and notified as winners and can apply for immigrant visas.
The applicants were reminded that issuance of immigrant visas to visa lottery winners will cease once 50,000 applicants are issued visas. It was also added that notification does not guarantee automatic issuance of immigrant visas. In all, about 8.7 million entries were received.
The lotto system, through which the fortunate ones are given the nod to enter and work in the U.S., offers a rare opportunity for prospective immigrants. Every year, many Ghanaians, both old and young, try their luck as they apply for the visa lotto.
Reports coming in from U.S. sources, as well as the Accra-based, independent daily the Daily Dispatch, has it that Ghana, which has a population of about 20 million, topped the 2003 Visa Lottery worldwide.
Ghana, the Dispatch continues, had 6,333 winners, followed by Nigeria, which recorded 5,989 winners. The top ten include Ethiopia, 5,562; Bangladesh, 4,935; Ukraine, 4,035; Poland, 3,855; Kenya, 3,194; Sierra Leone, 3,096, Morocco, 3,083; and Bulgaria, 2,843.
According to Dispatch Editor Ben Ephson, who once reported for the BBC (British Broadcasting Company), an embassy press release stated that about 8,700 applicants have been registered and notified as winners and can apply for immigrant visas.
The applicants were reminded that issuance of immigrant visas to visa lottery winners will cease once 50,000 applicants are issued visas. It was also added that notification does not guarantee automatic issuance of immigrant visas. In all, about 8.7 million entries were received.
Vtmbh article date
2002-06-30
Vtmbh article edition
26
Vtmbh article hit count
94
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1
Vtmbh article original language
English
Vtmbh article publication
African Abroad
Vtmbh article section
briefs
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Vtmbh article title
Ghana tops U.S. visa lottery
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Source
born-digital
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article
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yes
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no
Date Entered
2002-06-30
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Citation
“Ghana tops U.S. visa lottery,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed October 1, 2026, https://911.dev.chnm.gmu.edu/items/1717/.