In a landmark move to enhance travel accessibility, Ghana and St Kitts and Nevis have signed a visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders. This new arrangement marks a significant improvement over the previous 2018 agreement, which limited the visa waiver to diplomatic and service passport holders.
The signing took place at the Jubilee House in Accra on March 4, during a state visit by Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Michael Drew of St Kitts and Nevis. This agreement is part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.
Alongside the visa exemption deal, both leaders also endorsed a Bilateral Labour Agreement aimed at facilitating the recruitment of Ghanaian medical professionals to St Kitts and Nevis, addressing workforce needs in the Caribbean nation.
President John Dramani Mahama emphasized the importance of extending the visa waiver to ordinary citizens, describing it as a “practical and transformative step” toward fostering closer ties between Ghana and St Kitts and Nevis. He noted that this agreement will greatly benefit tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges, strengthening the bonds between the peoples of both nations.
“The extension now includes holders of ordinary passports, reflecting an increasing level of trust and cooperation between our countries,” he stated. This decision underscores a mutual commitment to expanding economic and social relations.
Additionally, President Mahama revealed that discussions are in progress to establish structured labor mobility arrangements, allowing Ghana to support St Kitts and Nevis with skilled professionals, including nurses, teachers, and various technical experts, under mutually beneficial frameworks.
The Bilateral Labour Agreement is expected to formalize the recruitment process for Ghanaian medical professionals, complementing the workforce demands in St Kitts and Nevis.
Beyond labor mobility, President Mahama outlined key sectors for deeper collaboration, which include tourism development, climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, heritage promotion, and cultural industries.
This series of agreements signifies a substantial step forward in diplomatic and economic relations, as both Ghana and St Kitts and Nevis work to leverage South-South cooperation for development and shared prosperity.
