Ghana, Slovakia to pursue visa waiver and defence cooperation
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has welcomed Slovakia’s proposal to establish a visa waiver agreement with Ghana, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Mr Ablakwa made the remarks on Monday, November 9, 2026, when he received the Open Letters of Slovakia’s Ambassador-designate to Ghana, Martin Podstavek, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He described the proposal as timely, noting that Ghana was keen to expand its visa waiver arrangements with other countries.
The Minister said Ghana had been actively pursuing such agreements and already had similar arrangements with several of Slovakia’s neighbouring countries, including Serbia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria, for holders of diplomatic and service passports.
He pointed out that some of these agreements had been in place for more than three to four decades, adding that Ghana was prepared to conclude a similar arrangement with Slovakia.
Mr Ablakwa said reaching an agreement would demonstrate the commitment of both countries to strengthening their relationship.
Diplomatic significance
A visa waiver agreement with Slovakia would further expand Ghana’s diplomatic partnerships within Europe.
Existing arrangements with countries such as Serbia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria allow diplomats, government officials, military and security personnel, as well as official delegations, to travel without visas.
Since Slovakia is a member of both the European Union and the Schengen Area, an agreement would add another European partner to Ghana’s growing network of visa waiver arrangements and potentially strengthen its position in negotiations with other European countries.
However, the proposed arrangement would not automatically grant ordinary Ghanaian passport holders visa-free access to Slovakia or the wider Schengen Area, as it is expected to apply to official and service passport holders.
Ghana seeks defence cooperation
On defence relations, Mr Ablakwa said Ghana would also welcome an agreement with Slovakia to promote cooperation in the sector.
He disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama intends to establish Ghana’s first electronic warfare centre in Tamale in the Northern Region.
According to the Minister, Ghana recognises Slovakia’s expertise in manufacturing, servicing and maintaining military equipment and is interested in exploring opportunities to collaborate in these areas.
Commitment to non-aligned foreign policy
Mr Ablakwa also praised Slovakia’s foreign policy approach, describing it as similar to Ghana’s commitment to non-alignment.
He said Ghana believed in maintaining friendly relations with all countries rather than creating adversaries, stressing that international cooperation and unity offered greater opportunities for development.
He expressed confidence that closer relations between Ghana and Slovakia could open up further areas of collaboration for both countries.
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