In a major bid to position Ghana as a premier global hub for tourism, commerce, and investment, the government has officially launched a centralized e-visa portal.
Announced on Africa Day, the digital system allows international travelers to secure Ghanaian visas online, completely bypassing the traditional requirement of visiting embassies or consulates.
Speaking at the launch event at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa emphasized that the initiative is a core pillar of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader strategy to enhance the country’s global accessibility and modernize its immigration infrastructure.
The minister acknowledged that the previous application method was a persistent source of frustration for global partners and tourists, largely due to bureaucratic bottlenecking and administrative delays.
“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 stated.
To restore investor trust and modernize the entry process, the Cabinet authorized the e-visa scheme as a direct remedy to these structural challenges.
“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.”
Mr. Ablakwa further noted that the project embodies the President’s ultimate goal to expand the nation’s global reach, explaining that internal systems must reflect this welcoming posture.
“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.”
In a historic move aligned with the Africa Day launch, the Foreign Minister also announced the complete removal of visa fees for African nationals visiting Ghana, framing the policy as a monumental leap forward for continental unity.
“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.”
Addressing governance and transparency, Mr. Ablakwa dismissed online rumors regarding a pre-existing e-visa agreement.
He clarified that the government had simply consulted the Attorney General regarding a separate, unrelated contract for machine-readable passports.
“Let me assure the people of Ghana that there is no existing e-visa contract. Nothing of the sort exists,” he clarified.
“The Attorney General’s opinion is that the machine-readable passport contract does not constitute an e-visa arrangement. They are entirely different.”
He further explained that the portal operates under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework, meaning the technology was deployed without putting a financial strain on the public purse.
“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.”
Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak also addressed the gathering, reassuring the public that streamlining entry procedures would not jeopardize national security.
He remarked that contemporary states maintain their competitive edge primarily through structural efficiency rather than resources alone.
“Nations do not compete only with resources. They compete with systems. They compete with efficiency,” he stated.
Mr. Muntaka emphasized that the digital portal eliminates ambiguity for prospective visitors, sending a clear signal of Ghana’s readiness for international collaboration.
“This platform does something powerful. It removes barriers. No more unnecessary delays. No more uncertainty,” he said. “Instead, we offer speed, convenience and confidence.”
“We are telling the world that Ghana is open for business. Ghana is ready for tourism. Ghana is ready for global partnerships,” he added.
Nevertheless, the Interior Minister maintained that border protection and citizen safety remain paramount. He explained that the new digital infrastructure actually enhances national security by allowing security agencies to conduct advanced screenings of passengers before they arrive.
“Openness does not mean weakness. We are not only opening our doors; we are strengthening them,” he said. “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. That is responsible leadership, and that is how we protect our people while still welcoming the world.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
