Ghana officially launches e-visa system, scraps visa fees for Africans — Ablakwa

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, has announced that the country’s newly launched e-visa portal forms part of the government’s broader agenda to position Ghana as a leading destination for business, tourism and international investment.

The online visa platform, officially launched on Africa Day, allows travellers from across the world to apply for Ghanaian visas entirely online without the need to physically visit embassies or consulates.

Speaking at the launch ceremony held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City on Monday, May 25, Mr Ablakwa explained that the initiative aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of making Ghana more accessible and investor-friendly.

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

According to Mr Ablakwa, the previous visa application system had generated numerous complaints from international travellers and business partners due to delays, bureaucratic processes and difficulties in obtaining visas.

“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 explained.

The Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that Cabinet approved the e-visa initiative 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.”

In a major policy announcement during the event, Mr Ablakwa also revealed that Ghana has abolished visa fees for all African travellers entering the country.

“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.”

He described the move as a significant milestone toward promoting African integration, strengthening diplomatic ties and encouraging easier movement across the continent.

The minister also addressed concerns circulating on social media regarding claims that another e-visa contract already existed under a previous arrangement.

“Let me assure the people of Ghana that there is no existing e-visa contract. Nothing of the sort exists,” he clarified.

Mr Ablakwa explained that the government consulted the Attorney General after reviewing documents related to an existing machine-readable passport contract.

“The Attorney General’s opinion is that the machine-readable passport contract does not constitute an e-visa arrangement. They are entirely different,” he noted.

He further disclosed that the project is being implemented under a public-private partnership model, ensuring that taxpayers would not bear the financial burden of establishing the digital system.

“The beauty of this arrangement is that taxpayers have not been burdened,” he said.

“The private partner is setting up the system under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications, NITA and the Cyber Security Authority.”

Meanwhile, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, Ghana’s Interior Minister, assured the public that the simplified visa process would not compromise national security.

Speaking at the same event, Mr Muntaka stated that modern nations increasingly compete through efficient systems that make travel, tourism and investment easier.

“Nations do not compete only with resources. They compete with systems. They compete with efficiency,” he said.

According to him, the new e-visa platform will significantly reduce delays and uncertainty for travellers seeking entry into Ghana.

“This platform does something powerful. It removes barriers. No more unnecessary delays. No more uncertainty,” he stated.

“Instead, we offer speed, convenience and confidence.”

The Interior Minister added that the initiative sends a strong signal that Ghana is ready to attract global tourism, foreign investment and stronger international partnerships.

“We are telling the world that Ghana is open for business. Ghana is ready for tourism. Ghana is ready for global partnerships,” he said.

However, he emphasised that while the country is opening its doors to visitors, authorities remain committed to maintaining strong border security measures.

“Openness does not mean weakness. We are not only opening our doors; we are strengthening them,” he stressed.

Mr Muntaka explained that the digital platform would allow immigration and security agencies to screen travellers before they arrive in Ghana.

“Before a traveller even boards a plane, we already know who is coming. We assess risks early, identify threats early, and act early. This is modern border control,” he explained.