Visitors who choose to travel to Ghana during the Christmas season will find it easy to enter the West African country as the government has declared a 46-day visa-on-arrival regime between December 1, 2023 and January 15, 2024.
The decision of the Ghanaian government is part of the country’s ambitious 10-year “Beyond The Return” campaign which is designed to encourage Africans in the diaspora to explore and reconnect with Ghana.
A statement from the Ministry of Transport on Thursday stressed the importance of updating systems to reflect the new arrangement, urging those responsible for checking in passengers travelling to Ghana not to insist on entry visas before boarding.
“The move aligns with the broader goal of positioning Ghana as a premier destination for those of African descent,” Foreign Affairs Minister Ayorkor Botchwey said while unveiling the plan.
At a recent stakeholders meeting, Botchwey had hinted at Ghana’s “serious consideration of allowing all Africans and people of African descent in the diaspora to enter the country visa-free.”
Botchwey had also emphasized that the country would implement a visa-free entry for Africans
as it aligned with Ghana’s broader efforts to deepen connections with the diaspora and position itself as a welcoming and accessible hub.
“As the government explores this possibility, it reflects a strategic effort to boost tourism, enhance cultural exchange, and celebrate the shared heritage of people of African descent across the globe,” he had added.
The move also sees Ghana following in the footsteps of Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin Republic, as the only African nations offering visa-free entry for all African citizens.