President John Dramani Mahama has announced the discontinuation of Ghana’s visa-on-arrival arrangement for African passport holders, replacing it with a new electronic visa regime aimed at improving security and efficiency.
Speaking during the official launch of the e-visa platform on Monday, May 25, President Mahama said the new system would streamline travel procedures while maintaining strict security checks and border management standards.
“The previous visa-on-arrival arrangement for African passports, which I initiated in my previous term as president, is hereby discontinued and replaced by this more secure and efficient electronic visa regime,” he stated.
The president clarified that citizens of African countries with existing visa waiver agreements with Ghana would continue to enjoy visa-free entry into the country without the need to apply for visas.
He added that the same arrangement would apply to Caribbean and other countries that currently have visa waiver agreements with Ghana.
“For African countries with which Ghana has visa waiver agreements, citizens of those countries will continue to travel freely to Ghana without applying for visas. For Caribbean and other nations with which Ghana has visa waiver agreements, they also will continue to enter Ghana freely without applying for visas,” he said.
President Mahama explained that applicants using the new e-visa platform would still undergo the necessary vetting and due diligence processes.
“Applicants will continue to undergo all the necessary vetting and due diligence. The financial barrier for African travel has been removed, while what remains firmly intact is our commitment to security, order, and effective border management,” he added.
He also revealed plans to expand Ghana’s visa policy to eventually allow people of African descent around the world to travel to Ghana without paying visa fees.
“Our long-term vision is even broader. We are envisioning a future and I believe it is not far off in which all people of African descent can return and travel to Ghana without paying visa fees as they reconnect with their ancestral homeland,” President Mahama stated.
He disclosed that he had directed the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior to begin work on the modalities required to implement the vision.
According to the president, the e-visa initiative forms part of broader efforts to build a more accessible, technology-driven and citizen-centred public service system in Ghana.
He further noted that Ghana’s latest policy aligns with the country’s Pan-African ideals and places it among African countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Benin and Seychelles that have adopted progressive visa policies to promote African integration and mobility.
