Ghana has officially launched e-visa to mark this year’s Africa Union Day.
The online visa platform enables travelers from across the globe to apply for Ghanaian visas online without physically visiting embassies or consulates.
Speaking at an event to launch the initiative on Monday, May 25, The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the e-visa portal forms part of the government’s broader strategy to position the country as open and attractive to business, tourism and investment.
“The newly inaugurated President of the Republic declared that Ghana is open for business again,” he said.
“And if Ghana must indeed demonstrate that we are open for business, then it means that our visa processing regime must also align with the President’s reset vision.”
Mr Ablakwa stated that the previous visa application process created frustration for many travellers and international partners because of delays and cumbersome procedures.
“Many of our international partners complained about how cumbersome the process was, the long queues, the delays, and sometimes how difficult it was to access visas,” he stated.
He explained that Cabinet approved the new e-visa policy as part of efforts to modernise Ghana’s immigration system and improve investor confidence.
“The President decided that, as part of his Ghana Open for Business strategy, we should overhaul the visa processing regime for our country,” he said.
“That is what has culminated in today’s launch of an e-visa portal backed by an e-visa policy.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister revealed that visa fees for all African travellers entering Ghana has been abolished.
“On this Africa Day, the President has also decided that all people from the African continent will no longer have to pay visa fees to enter Ghana,” he announced.
“For the first time in our country’s history, visa fees for Africans have been completely scrapped.”
Mr Ablakwa described the decision as a significant step towards promoting regional integration and strengthening ties across the continent.
