Ghana launches e-visa portal, scraps visa fees for African travellers
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has stated that Ghana’s newly introduced e-visa portal is part of a broader government agenda aimed at making the country more welcoming to investors, tourists and international businesses.
The digital visa platform, launched officially on Africa Day, enables travellers worldwide to apply for Ghanaian visas online without the need to visit embassies or consulates physically.
Speaking during the launch ceremony at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City on Monday, May 25, Ablakwa said the initiative aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of positioning Ghana as an open and accessible destination.
He noted that if Ghana is to truly demonstrate that it is open for business, then its visa application system must reflect the government’s broader reform agenda.
According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, the old visa application process had generated complaints from international travellers and partners because of delays, long queues and cumbersome procedures.
He explained that Cabinet approved the e-visa policy as part of efforts to modernise the country’s immigration processes and boost investor confidence.
Ablakwa added that the launch of the portal represents the culmination of the government’s efforts to overhaul Ghana’s visa regime under the “Ghana Open for Business” strategy.
In a major policy announcement, the minister also revealed that visa fees for all African travellers entering Ghana have been abolished.
He described the move as historic, noting that for the first time Ghana would waive visa charges for visitors from across the African continent in a bid to promote regional integration and strengthen continental ties.
Addressing concerns circulating on social media about claims of an existing e-visa contract, Ablakwa clarified that no such agreement currently exists.
He explained that after reviewing documents connected to an earlier machine-readable passport contract, the government sought legal guidance from the Attorney General, who concluded that the arrangement was unrelated to an e-visa system.
The minister further disclosed that the project is being implemented through a public-private partnership, meaning taxpayers would not bear the financial cost of establishing the platform.
According to him, the private partner is developing the system under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications, NITA and the Cyber Security Authority.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak assured Ghanaians that the simplified visa process would not undermine national security.
Speaking at the same event, Muntaka stressed that countries now compete through efficient systems that make travel and investment easier.
He said the e-visa platform would eliminate unnecessary delays and uncertainty for travellers while improving convenience and confidence in Ghana’s immigration processes.
According to him, the initiative sends a strong message that Ghana is prepared for tourism, investment and international partnerships.
However, he emphasised that opening the country to the world does not mean weakening border security.
Muntaka explained that the digital platform would allow authorities to screen travellers before they even board flights to Ghana, enabling security agencies to identify potential risks early and strengthen modern border control measures.
He described the initiative as a responsible approach that balances openness with the protection of citizens and national security.
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