Ghana has introduced an online visa platform and abolished visa fees for all African travellers. The changes were announced on 25 May Africa Day at a Kempinski Hotel event in Accra.
Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the e‑visa system allows applicants worldwide to apply entirely online, removing the need to visit embassies or consulates.
The previous paper‑based process, he said, was marked by long queues and bureaucratic delays that discouraged travel and business.
The reform is part of President John Mahama’s ‘Ghana Open for Business’ strategy. Cabinet approved the policy after a review of immigration procedures.
The system is a public‑private partnership; taxpayers will not fund its development. Oversight comes from the Communications Ministry, the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) and the Cyber Security Authority.
Ablakwa also confirmed that visa fees for all African nationals have been scrapped a first for Ghana, he said. The move is intended to boost regional mobility, tourism and continental cooperation.
Social media claims about existing e‑visa contracts are false, Ablakwa added. Legal advice from the Attorney General’s office confirms that separate machine‑readable passport agreements are unrelated to the new platform.
Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak assured that national security would not be compromised. The e‑visa allows pre‑arrival security screening, identifying risks early. ‘Openness does not mean weakness,’ he said, adding that modern governance requires efficient systems alongside strong border protection.
The government says the reforms will improve investor confidence and make Ghana more competitive globally.