Ghanaian passport holders can now travel visa-free to nearly 50 countries, with the number expected to rise as Ghana signs additional visa waiver agreements. This was revealed by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on the sidelines of the ongoing AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 12. The Minister emphasised that the development will broaden travel opportunities and strengthen trade prospects for Ghanaian businesses while enhancing the country’s global relevance. “Expect more visa waiver agreements this year. In March, you’ll hear good news. April, good news. May bring more good news. Expect more,” he assured journalists.
The arrangement includes totally visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and E-visa access. The countries include Bahamas – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Bangladesh – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Barbados – 180 days visa-free stay allowed, Belize, Benin – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, British Virgin Islands, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia – 30 days, Cape Verde Islands – 90 days visa-free stay allowed (Requirement to register online 5 days before arrival), Cook Islands, Cote d’Ivoire – 90 days visa-free stay allowed.
Dominica – 180 days visa-free stay allowed, eSwatini – 30 days visa-free stay allowed, Fiji – 4 months visa-free stay allowed, Grenada – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Guinea – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Guinea-Bissau – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Guyana – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Haiti – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Jamaica – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Kenya – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Kiribati – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Liberia, Malawi – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Maldives – Free VOA, Mali Mauritius – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Micronesia – 30 days visa-free stay allowed, Niger, Nigeria, Palau Islands – Free VOA, Philippines – 30 days visa-free stay allowed, Rwanda – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Samoa – 60 days visa-free stay allowed Senegal – 90 days visa-free stay allowed.
The rest are; South Africa – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Tanzania – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Uganda – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Vanuatu – 120 days visa-free stay allowed, Zimbabwe – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Zambia Visa On Arrival, Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Iran, Jordan, Macao (SAR China), Maldives, Namibia, Nicaragua, Palau Islands, Samoa, Somalia, St. Lucia, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu E-Visa, Albania, Antigua and Barbuda Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Botswana, Bolivia, Cameroon, Colombia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mauritania, Moldova, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, São Tomé and Príncipe, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has reaffirmed Ghana’s ambition to make its passport one of the most valued in Africa and globally. “We want the Ghanaian passport to be the most valued passport in Africa and among the most valued worldwide—and we are very much on course,” he declared. He praised the dedication of Ministry staff, particularly the team of diplomats driving negotiations for visa waiver agreements, noting their crucial role in advancing Ghana’s international standing.
Ablakwa expressed excitement over the progress made since he assumed office, highlighting the growing number of visa waivers secured. He also underscored the advanced security features of the new passport, stressing that it is now fully chip-embedded and among the most secure globally, surpassing traditional biometric systems. At its core, a visa waiver allows citizens to travel between countries without the lengthy and often costly process of securing a visa in advance.
For Ghanaian businesses, this means easier access to new markets. Tourism also stands to grow, as reciprocal arrangements encourage more visitors into Ghana, supporting hospitality, aviation and related industries. Citizens can travel at short notice to negotiate deals, secure partnerships and explore investment opportunities without bureaucratic delays. Zambia s the latest country to sign a visa waiver agreement with Ghana, thus joining a growing list of countries to do so. The Foreign Affairs Minister said the move will deepen diplomacy, boost trade and open doors for citizens and businesses alike.
He, however, adds that demand for the passport is expected to increase, noting that security features have been enhanced to deal with fraudsters who may want to take undue advantage of the system. “I am also making sure that we improve security so that our passports will not get into the wrong hands. Because you see, as we sign more of these visa waiver agreements, many people will be envious and will be trying to infiltrate. You know, the bad guys will try to lay their hands on our passports, will try to acquire Ghanaian passports when they are not citizens and are not entitled to have Ghanaian passports. So, be assured that wehave improved the security,” the Minister stated.
“We have invested in AI tools and modern technology to make us ahead of what the bad guys will be trying to do. So great times for Ghanaian passport holders, and we are doing all of this with courier delivery, all the 16 regions, doing all of this within even a reduced fee structure,”Mr Ablakwa noted.
Source: Martin Asiedu-Dartey
