Ghana cuts visa wait to five days
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced a significant reduction in visa processing time for travelers to Ghana—from an average of four to six weeks down to just five working days.
The new policy, which takes immediate effect, is part of the Mahama administration’s broader efforts to position Ghana as a premier destination for investors and tourists.
“On January 7th, President Mahama declared that Ghana is open for business. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are determined to give real, practical meaning to that promise,” Mr. Ablakwa stated in a Facebook post.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the Ministry has deployed additional resources across Ghana’s diplomatic missions worldwide to ensure smooth and efficient implementation of the directive.
The visa reform is expected to enhance Ghana’s competitiveness in the global tourism and investment space by eliminating long-standing bureaucratic delays that have discouraged potential visitors and business partners.
Mr. Ablakwa further clarified that the shorter timeline does not equate to automatic approval.
“I must add that this 5-day visa processing policy does not, by any stretch of the imagination, mean automatic visa approval,” he stressed.
He reaffirmed his dedication to making Ghana a top choice for investors and tourists by enhancing the country’s global competitiveness and removing bureaucratic obstacles.
“I am committed to positioning Ghana as a preferred destination for tourists and investors by eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks,” he noted.
This announcement has been widely welcomed by stakeholders in the tourism and business sectors, who see it as a bold step toward improving Ghana’s global accessibility and attractiveness.
