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Ghana has taken a significant step towards continental integration with the approval of visa-free entry for all African nationals.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo granted executive approval for the policy on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
With this move, Ghana joins Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin as one of the few African nations offering visa-free access to African passport holders.
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The visa-free initiative fulfils President Akufo-Addo’s pledge during the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD 2024) held in January 2024. At the event, themed “Developing Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value, and Trade,” the President underscored the importance of free movement across the continent to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Many of you had to acquire a visa to attend this event. The government of Ghana is committed to ensuring visa-free travel for all Africans, and the process has begun to implement the policy this year,” President Akufo-Addo stated during his keynote address.
The policy is expected to come into effect before the end of the President’s term on January 6, 2025.
The initiative aligns with Ghana’s leadership role in the AfCFTA, whose secretariat is based in Accra.
By facilitating the free movement of people, goods, and services, the policy aims to enhance economic integration and drive intra-African trade.
It also represents a bold step toward realising the vision of a united and prosperous Africa, removing barriers that have historically hindered collaboration and mobility among African nations.
Ghana’s visa-free policy is expected to strengthen its position as a hub for business and tourism on the continent.
It aligns with global trends advocating for open borders to boost economic growth, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation.
Additionally, the move will provide opportunities for deeper collaboration in areas such as trade, education, health, and technology, furthering the continent’s development agenda.
President Akufo-Addo’s approval of this policy cements his legacy as a champion of Pan-Africanism.
His administration has consistently advocated for initiatives that foster African unity and economic prosperity.
As Ghana prepares to implement the policy, the government has assured the public and its African neighbours of a seamless rollout process, ensuring that the visa-free initiative benefits all parties involved.
This historic decision is set to reshape travel dynamics in Africa and serve as a model for other nations to follow in pursuit of deeper integration and shared prosperity.
