Ghana, US agree on special measures to fast-track World Cup visa applications
Ghana and the United States have reached an agreement on special arrangements to fast-track visa applications for travelers heading to the World Cup, following Ghana’s concerns about delays in securing visa appointment dates.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced this in a Facebook post on January 14, 2026, after a bilateral meeting between officials from both countries in Accra. He explained that the agreement was concluded during discussions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 13, 2026, which he chaired as part of a broader assessment of Ghana–US relations.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, Ghana was informed that specific measures had been introduced to accelerate visa processing for World Cup-related travel. He added that the United States Embassy is expected to hold a press briefing to outline the new visa arrangements.
The talks were led on the US side by the Acting Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Rolf Olson, and also reviewed progress in bilateral relations over the course of 2025. Mr. Ablakwa noted that the visa issue formed part of wider discussions covering trade, security, law enforcement and economic cooperation, with both countries agreeing on key priority areas for 2026.
He said the outcomes of the meeting reflected continued improvement in Ghana–US relations, particularly in areas that directly impact citizens
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