Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says Ghana’s newly opened e-visa webpage is part of the government’s larger effort to position the country as open and attractive for business, tourism, and investment.
Travellers from all over the world may apply for Ghanaian visas completely online without physically visiting embassies or consulates thanks to the online visa platform, which went live on Africa Day.
Speaking at the Monday, May 25 inauguration ceremony at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Mr. Ablakwa stated that the program embodies President John Dramani Mahama’s goal of increasing Ghana’s accessibility to the global community.
“The newly inaugurated President of the Republic declared that Ghana is open for business again,” he stated.
“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.”
The minister stated that many visitors and foreign partners were frustrated by the old visa application process due to its lengthy and difficult procedures.
“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.
Mr. Ablakwa explained that in an effort to modernise Ghana’s immigration system and boost investor trust, the Cabinet adopted the new e-visa policy.
“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.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister made another significant announcement: all African visitors entering Ghana are no longer required to pay a visa.
“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, for the first time in our country’s history, visa fees for Africans have been completely scrapped,” he announced.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the ruling is an important step in fostering regional integration and fortifying connections throughout the continent.
Concerns about allegations on social media that another e-visa deal already existed were also addressed by him.
“Let me assure the people of Ghana that there is no existing e-visa contract. Nothing of the sort exists,” he explained.
He claims that after examining documents connected to an existing machine-readable passport deal, the government asked the Attorney General for legal counsel.
“The Attorney General’s opinion is that the machine-readable passport contract does not constitute an e-visa arrangement. They are entirely different,” he clarified.
The minister also revealed that the project was being carried out under a public-private partnership framework, which meant that taxpayers would not be responsible for the system’s establishment costs.
“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.”
The public was reassured by Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak that national security would not be jeopardised by the streamlined visa procedure.
Speaking at the same event, Mr. Muntaka claimed that efficient systems that facilitate commerce and travel are how modern nations compete.
He said, “Nations do not compete only with resources. They compete with systems. They compete with efficiency.”
He claims that the e-visa technology is intended to eliminate ambiguity and delays for visitors wishing to enter Ghana.
“This platform does something powerful. It removes barriers. No more unnecessary delays. No more uncertainty,” he declared.
“Instead, we offer speed, convenience and confidence.”
According to Mr. Muntaka, the program makes it clear that Ghana is prepared for foreign collaborations, tourism, and investment.
“We are telling the world that Ghana is open for business. Ghana is ready for tourism. Ghana is ready for global partnerships,” he continued.
He did, however, emphasise that the administration was still dedicated to defending the nation’s borders and people.
“Openness does not mean weakness. We are not only opening our doors; we are strengthening them,” he declared.
The digital platform would allow authorities to screen visitors before to their arrival in the nation, according to the Interior Minister.
“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,” he declared.
“That is responsible leadership, and that is how we protect our people while still welcoming the world.”
Source: newsthemegh.com