Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has issued a warning that the country may face a visa ban from the United States due to a high rate of visa overstays, particularly among Ghanaian students. During a press briefing on Thursday, June 26, Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that the U.S. government has formally expressed concerns to Ghanaian authorities, indicating that 21 percent of Ghanaian students who travel to the U.S. overstay their visas. This percentage notably exceeds the acceptable threshold of 15 percent set by the U.S. government.
“The U.S. authorities have now formally brought this matter to our attention, so it is no longer considered a leaked report,” the Minister stated. “They informed us 10 days ago, through the White House, about plans to expand the existing visa bans. These proposed bans will target countries that do not meet a list of 12 specific criteria.”
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the U.S. criteria for visa bans address a wide range of issues, including countries linked to terrorism, those harboring violent extremists, and nations that fail to cooperate with deportation efforts. He clarified that Ghana’s primary challenge, as identified by the U.S., is the issue of visa overstays, particularly among students.
“The students whom we have been sending abroad—both those on government scholarships and self-sponsored- are the focus. U.S. data shows that 21 per cent of Ghanaian students who have completed their courses in the U.S. have refused to return,” he said. He added that countries with an overstay rate below 15 per cent are not subject to visa restrictions, but exceeding this threshold triggers further scrutiny and possible punitive measures.
Mr Ablakwa assured that government officials are engaging their U.S. counterparts to address the issue and prevent any disruption in travel relations. “We continue to hold very productive meetings with the U.S. authorities, and I want to emphasise that Ghana is not being flagged for any of the more serious offences such as terrorism or harbouring criminals,” he said. He recalled that 19 countries were previously affected by similar visa restrictions under the Trump administration, noting that the current discussions stem from efforts to expand that policy.
The Minister called for greater awareness among Ghanaians, particularly students, to respect immigration regulations when studying abroad, adding that the government is committed to ensuring compliance and protecting the country’s international standing.
By: Kweku Zurek –
