Ghana, Zambia Seal Visa-Free Travel Deal
The Governments of Ghana and Zambia have reached a historic agreement to waive visa requirements for citizens travelling between the two countries, marking a major step toward deeper African integration and cooperation.
The visa waiver deal was announced by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, during President John Dramani Mahama’s three-day state visit to Zambia, which is focused on strengthening diplomatic ties, expanding economic cooperation, and enhancing people-to-people relations.
President Mahama arrived in Lusaka on Wednesday, February 4, to a warm welcome at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, where he was received by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. The visit provided a platform for high-level bilateral discussions, with mobility and regional collaboration featuring prominently
Speaking to journalists on the margins of the visit, Mr. Ablakwa described the visa-free travel arrangement as one of the most significant outcomes of the engagement between the two governments. He noted that the agreement reflects a shared commitment to removing barriers that hinder movement across the continent.
According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, the decision to abolish visa requirements is expected to stimulate trade, boost tourism, attract investment, and promote cultural exchanges between Ghana and Zambia. He emphasized that facilitating easier movement for citizens remains a top priority for the Mahama administration.
Mr. Ablakwa revealed that the visa waiver was not merely an outcome of negotiations in Zambia but a clear directive from President Mahama ahead of the trip. He disclosed that the President had made the agreement a key condition for the visit, underscoring its importance to Ghana’s foreign policy agenda.
“We are prioritising smooth mobility for our people,” the Minister said, adding that the visa-free policy would ensure Ghanaians and Zambians no longer face the stress and delays associated with visa applications.
The new arrangement is expected to significantly ease long-standing bureaucratic challenges encountered by travellers, including students, business executives, tourists, and professionals. By promoting freer movement, the policy is anticipated to strengthen bilateral relations and serve as a model for broader African cooperation in line with the continent’s integration goals.
