Ghana Launches e-Visa Platform, Scraps Visa Fees for Africans

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has described the newly launched e-Visa portal as part of governments broader efforts to position Ghana as ready for business, tourism and investment.

The online platform went live on May, 25, celebrated as Africa Day and allows visitors from across the world to apply for Ghanaian visas without going to embassies and consulates.

The minister was speaking at the launch of the platform held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, saying the initiative reflects the President’s vision for a thriving economy.  

“The newly inaugurated President of the Republic declared that Ghana is open for business again,” he stated.

“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.”

According to the minister, the previous visa application process was cumbersome and stressful for several travellers and international partners.

“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 said.

Cabinet approved the new e-visa policy to modernize Ghana’s immigration system and improve investor confidence, Mr Ablakwa explained.

“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.”

As parts of efforts to promote regional integration, the minister also announced abolishing visa fees for Africans coming into Ghana.

“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.”