In an effort to foster unity and facilitate travel throughout the continent, the Ghanaian government declared its intention to authorize a visa-free entry policy for citizens of all African nations.
The outgoing president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, took this decision in fulfillment of a pledge he made earlier this year that it would be put into effect before to the conclusion of his term on January 7, 2025.
Ghana is now the fifth African country to grant visa-free travel to holders of African passports, joining Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin in doing so.
In the past, citizens of 25 other countries may obtain visas upon arrival, while people of 26 African countries were permitted entry without a visa. Ghana’s continuous attempts to lower restrictions on free movement are demonstrated by the fact that only two African nations needed a visa to enter the country.
Ghana reportedly ranks sixth in Africa for advocating for laws that permit unrestricted travel. Ghana’s commitment to promoting regional cooperation and tackling the obstacles impeding African integration is demonstrated by this recent move.
President Akufo-Addo fulfilled a pledge made at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues earlier in January by formally approving the policy on December 18, 2024. The African Union’s objectives for economic cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are thought to be strengthened by this action.
The implementation of the regulation also complements Ghana’s larger initiatives to increase tourism. As part of the “Beyond the Return” campaign, the Ghana Tourism Authority has introduced a short-term Non-Pre-Approval Visa program that will run from December 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025. This program seeks to foster economic cooperation while reestablishing ties between Africans and diaspora members to their heritage.
The implementation of the regulation also complements Ghana’s larger initiatives to increase tourism. As part of the “Beyond the Return” campaign, the Ghana Tourism Authority has introduced a short-term Non-Pre-Approval Visa program that will run from December 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025. This program seeks to foster economic cooperation while reestablishing ties between Africans and diaspora members to their heritage.