Ghana and South Korea sign visa waiver agreement for holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports

Ghana and South Korea have signed a historic visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports, marking a major milestone in nearly five decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The agreement was announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on Monday, June 1, following its signing on the sidelines of the Africa-Korea Foreign Ministers Meeting.

According to Mr. Ablakwa, the deal is the first visa waiver agreement between Ghana and South Korea since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties almost 50 years ago. He revealed that discussions are ongoing to extend the arrangement to holders of ordinary passports in the future.

The minister noted that the agreement forms part of efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation following President John Dramani Mahama’s working visit to South Korea earlier this year.

In a post on social media, Mr. Ablakwa described the development as a significant achievement in Ghana’s foreign policy agenda and a step towards deepening relations between the two countries.

Mr. Ablakwa also highlighted the successful revival of the Ghana-Jamaica Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) after a 21-year break.

He commended Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, for leading a high-level delegation to Ghana and praised her distinguished service as Jamaica’s first female foreign minister and the world’s longest-serving female foreign minister.

One of the key outcomes of the PJCC meeting was an agreement that will see approximately 400 Ghanaian nurses deployed to Jamaica to support healthcare delivery in the Caribbean nation.

The two countries also signed agreements covering defence cooperation and tourism development.

Additionally, Ghana and Jamaica have agreed to conclude ongoing negotiations to facilitate the deployment of Ghanaian teachers to Jamaica by August 2026.

Mr. Ablakwa described the growing demand for Ghanaian professionals abroad as a source of national pride and evidence of the quality of Ghana’s workforce.

The Foreign Affairs Minister also expressed appreciation for Jamaica’s support during the adoption of Ghana’s United Nations resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity.

He further noted that Jamaica had acknowledged Ghana’s humanitarian support following Hurricane Melissa, including the deployment of soldiers and relief assistance.

As part of efforts to deepen bilateral ties, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has extended a special invitation to President Mahama to serve as guest of honour at Jamaica’s National Day celebrations later this year.

Mr. Ablakwa described the renewed momentum in Ghana-Jamaica relations as encouraging and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with countries across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.