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The Government of Ghana is set to roll out a nationwide Electronic Visa (E-Visa) policy in the first quarter of 2026 as part of broader efforts to modernise immigration processes, boost tourism, and strengthen engagement with the African diaspora.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the policy at the closing session of the maiden Diaspora Summit held in Accra on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
“I am delighted to announce to you that this government, under strict instruction of President John Dramani Mahama, will be rolling out an e-visa policy in the first quarter of next year, 2026,” Mr Ablakwa told participants.
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A key feature of the new policy, according to the minister, is a special concession for Africans in the diaspora, who will benefit from reduced visa application fees and a more streamlined travel process.
“We are going to have a special dispensation for Africans in the diaspora so that you will not have to make the same payments as others will make. You can travel to the motherland easily, smoothly and more conveniently,” he explained.
The initiative aligns with the government’s broader objective of strengthening cultural, economic and emotional ties between Ghana and Africans living abroad, particularly descendants of enslaved Africans.
Mr Ablakwa further revealed that Ghana will adopt a reciprocal visa fee system, where visa charges imposed on foreigners will reflect what Ghanaians pay when applying to enter those same countries.
“How much we pay when we want to go into their country, we will make sure we are all paying the same in the spirit of reciprocity,” he said.
According to the minister, the policy will not only ensure fairness but also generate additional revenue to support national development.
In a related development, the Foreign Affairs Minister hinted at the imminent return of Ghana Airways, Ghana’s defunct national airline.
He disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama has directed that work be fast-tracked on reviving the airline, with a technical committee already close to completing its mandate.
“Imagine if all the tickets of those who flew into the country were on Ghana Airways. That money would have been an investment in the Ghanaian economy,” Mr Ablakwa said.
He noted that the absence of a national carrier has resulted in billions of cedis leaving the country annually through foreign airlines, a situation the government is determined to reverse.
The minister added that the restoration of Ghana Airways would also allow the state to offer discounted fares to diaspora visitors and support visa-free or reduced-cost travel initiatives in the future.
Mr Ablakwa described the revival of Ghana Airways as both an economic and symbolic project, echoing the vision of Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
“The return of Ghana Airways will restore national pride and reaffirm that the Black man is capable of managing his own affairs,” he said.
Also speaking at the summit, Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, Augustus Goosie Obuadum Tanoh, outlined how the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy programme presents new investment opportunities for diaspora investors.
He explained that the policy seeks to address structural inefficiencies by organising production around integrated value chains, particularly in agriculture, agro-processing, logistics, health, finance and export-orientated industries.
According to Mr Tanoh, many factories, ports, warehouses, hospitals and markets in Ghana currently operate below capacity due to fragmented systems and logistical bottlenecks.
“The 24-Hour Economy will ensure these productive assets operate efficiently across time, recognising that global markets never sleep and value chains are increasingly time-sensitive,” he stated.
Government officials at the summit emphasised that diaspora investment, combined with state-led reforms, could significantly accelerate economic growth, job creation and industrialisation.
The introduction of the E-Visa policy, coupled with the planned return of Ghana Airways and the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy programme, signals a renewed push by the Mahama administration to position Ghana as Africa’s gateway for investment, tourism and diaspora engagement.
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