President John Dramani Mahama has announced that African passport holders travelling to Ghana for business or tourism will no longer pay visa fees under the country’s newly introduced electronic visa (e-Visa) system.
Speaking at the launch in Accra on Monday, President Mahama said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise Ghana’s immigration and border management systems while promoting trade, travel, and continental integration.
Under the new arrangement, African travellers must apply exclusively through the digital platform but will be exempt from visa charges. Applicants outside Africa will pay a service fee of US$260.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa explained that applications submitted with the required documentation will receive decisions within 48 hours. He stressed that existing bilateral visa waiver agreements—currently covering about 50 countries—remain unchanged.
The e-Visa system, developed through a public-private partnership with Rock Africa, incorporates biometric verification and fraud prevention measures in line with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. The Cabinet approved the initiative following a joint proposal from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Transport.
Officials highlighted the platform’s role in enhancing border security. Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak described it as a major step toward risk identification before travellers arrive, while Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe noted its integration with passenger information systems at Ghana’s airports.
Although the exemption applies only to business and tourist visas, the government says the move reflects Ghana’s Pan-African agenda and coincides with Africa Day celebrations.
