President John Dramani Mahama has announced the discontinuation of Ghana’s visa on arrival arrangement for holders of African passports, replacing it with a newly introduced electronic visa system designed to enhance border security, improve efficiency, and modernise travel administration.
Speaking at the official launch of the e visa platform on Monday, May 25, the President explained that the updated system is intended to simplify travel procedures while simultaneously strengthening security screening and border management protocols.
He stated that the previous visa on arrival policy for African passport holders, which he had introduced during his earlier tenure as President, has now been formally terminated and substituted with the more structured and technology driven electronic visa regime.
The President further clarified that citizens of African countries which maintain existing visa waiver agreements with Ghana will continue to enjoy visa free entry into the country without any requirement to apply for visas under the new arrangement.
He added that the same visa free privileges will remain in place for citizens of Caribbean nations and other countries that have established visa waiver agreements with Ghana, ensuring continuity in existing diplomatic travel arrangements.
Under the new system, applicants will be required to use the electronic visa platform to apply for entry, although they will still undergo full vetting, screening, and due diligence processes as part of Ghana’s strengthened immigration controls.
President Mahama noted that while financial barriers to African travel have been reduced, the government remains firmly committed to maintaining strict security standards, orderly immigration processes, and effective border governance.
He also outlined a broader long term vision aimed at extending visa free access to all people of African descent globally, allowing them to travel to Ghana without visa fees as part of efforts to reconnect the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He disclosed that directives have already been issued to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior to begin developing the necessary frameworks and modalities required to implement this expanded policy vision.
According to the President, the introduction of the e visa system forms part of a wider national agenda to build a more accessible, technology enabled, and citizen focused public service infrastructure.
He further indicated that Ghana’s evolving visa policy aligns with its Pan African commitments and places the country alongside other African nations such as Rwanda, Kenya, Benin, and Seychelles that have adopted more open and progressive travel regimes to promote regional integration and mobility.
