President John Dramani Mahama has announced a major overhaul of Ghana’s entry system, discontinuing the visa-on-arrival arrangement for African passport holders and replacing it with a fully digital e-visa platform.
Speaking at the official launch of the new system on Monday, May 25, the President said the reform is aimed at strengthening border security while improving efficiency in travel processing.
He explained that although the visa-on-arrival option for African travellers is being phased out, citizens of countries with existing visa-waiver agreements with Ghana will continue to enjoy visa-free entry.
“For African countries with which Ghana has visa waiver agreements, citizens will continue to enter freely without applying for visas,” he stated.
Under the new arrangement, all other African travellers will be required to apply through the electronic platform, where applications will be submitted online, supporting documents uploaded digitally, and approvals issued electronically.
The President also outlined a broader long-term vision to extend easier travel access to people of African descent globally, describing it as part of Ghana’s Pan-African integration agenda.
He directed relevant ministries to develop the modalities for expanding the policy framework, while stressing that security vetting and border control checks would remain in place under the new system.
