Amanze Chinonye
The Government of Ghana has officially launched its new electronic visa (e-Visa) regime, with President John Dramani Mahama declaring that African passport holders will no longer pay visa fees to enter the country for business and tourism purposes, Prime Business Africa reports.
The launch, held in Accra on Monday as part of Africa Day commemorations, marks a major shift in Ghana’s immigration and border management system aimed at promoting trade, tourism, investment and continental integration.
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Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the new online platform would allow applicants to complete visa forms digitally, upload supporting documents electronically and receive visa decisions within 48 hours.
Under the new arrangement, all African passport holders applying for Ghanaian business or tourist visas through the e-Visa platform will be exempted from visa fees, although applicants will still undergo mandatory security screening and background checks before approval.
President Mahama said the initiative forms part of Ghana’s broader Pan-African agenda and efforts to position the country as a regional hub for commerce and tourism. He added that the policy was designed to strengthen continental integration while maintaining strict immigration controls.
Authorities said the e-Visa system has been integrated with Ghana’s Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record systems, as well as international crime and watch-list databases, to improve border security and screening procedures.
The new platform currently covers tourist and business visas only.
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Diplomatic passport holders, students, family visa holders and nationals of countries with existing bilateral visa-waiver agreements with Ghana will continue to use existing immigration arrangements.
The rollout also ends Ghana’s previous visa-on-arrival arrangement for African travellers, replacing it with a fully digital application process.
Government officials said the initiative would reduce bureaucracy, improve transparency and boost ease of doing business in Ghana as part of ongoing efforts to digitise immigration and border services.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
