Ghana Announces Visa-free Travel For African Passport Holders

Ghana is set to grant visa-free access to all African passport holders, a report on ReportersAtLarge website said yesterday.

The move, according to the report, made Ghana the fifth country on the continent to adopt such a policy, according to an announcement by the country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The policy announced by President John Mahama will take effect on May 25, to align with Africa Day celebrations.

Mahama announced the policy during the first state visit of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to Ghana. This was confirmed by Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, the newspaper said.

The policy builds on an earlier initiative introduced under former President Nana Akufo-Addo. He had announced visa-free travel for all African passport holders in his final State of the Nation Address in January 2025. While that measure was expected to take effect in 2025, it did not materialise as planned before the end of his tenure.

With this move, Ghana joins a group of African countries, including Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Seychelles. These nations already allow visa-free entry to all African nationals. The policy removes the need for pre-arrival visas. This marks a significant shift in Ghana’s travel and immigration framework.

The visa-free regime will form part of a broader reform of Ghana’s immigration system. This includes the introduction of a new e-visa platform expected to launch next month. Authorities say the system is designed to streamline entry processes while maintaining border controls.

Minister Ablakwa noted that the policy aims to reinforce the country’s position as the “cradle of Pan-Africanism.” He believes the reform will unlock gains in tourism and intra-African trade.

“The policy is aimed at reinforcing the country’s position as the cradle of Pan-Africanism while unlocking gains in tourism and intra-African trade through the reform.” — Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa

The Foreign Ministry stated that the visa-free regime will integrate with a broader e-visa system. The Mahama administration expects to launch this next month.