Ghana Approves Visa-Free Entry for All Citizens of African States
Visa-free travel to start in 1Q 2025, coinciding with the launch of a new chip-embedded Ghanaian passport for improved efficiency.
The government of Ghana is poised to allow visa-free entry for all citizens of African nations.
Local media reports indicate that this policy, which received executive approval on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, is scheduled to be implemented before the end of President Akufo-Addo’s term in the first quarter of 2025.
Ghana, home to the AfCFTA Secretariat, becomes the fifth nation in Africa, joining Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin in offering visa-free entry to all African passport holders.
Ghana’s Chip-Embedded Passport Streamlines Travel
On December 2, 2024, Ghana launched the chip-embedded passport, modernising its travel identity system in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) regulations.
Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, highlighted the benefits of the chip-embedded passport which includes improved security features aimed at preventing identity theft.
The microchip in each passport securely holds biometric data and other unique security features, ensuring the document is tamper-proof. This provides holders with increased security and confidence as they travel internationally.
Additionally, the Ministry noted the introduction of an enhanced online passport application system and modernised infrastructure across Passport Application Centers (PACs) nationwide and at Ghanaian Missions abroad.
