Ghana has introduced a groundbreaking visa-free policy for all African passport holders, which took effect at the beginning of this year.
Gists9ja reports that this announcement was made by President Nana Akufo-Addo during his final State of the Nation address as he prepares to leave office on January 6, after completing two terms.
“I am proud to announce that Ghana will now offer visa-free travel to all African passport holders, starting this year,” President Akufo-Addo declared in his address to the Parliament.
He emphasized that this policy is a significant move toward achieving the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the largest trading bloc in the world. According to Akufo-Addo, the policy also aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks to create a more integrated and interconnected Africa by 2063.
This new visa policy positions Ghana alongside other African nations such as Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin, all of which have already implemented visa-free travel for African citizens. Prior to this, Ghana had granted visa exemptions for citizens of 26 African countries, with travelers from 25 others able to obtain visas on arrival. Eritrea and Morocco were the only two countries whose citizens required visas before entering Ghana.
Additionally, in a related development, Germany has launched a new online portal this January to simplify the visa application process for travelers worldwide. For individuals from countries without a visa waiver agreement with Germany, obtaining an entry permit remains a necessary requirement before embarking on their journey to Germany.
This move by Ghana is expected to foster greater intra-African mobility, enhance economic integration, and promote the broader goals of regional cooperation within the African continent.
