All holders of African passports can now travel to Ghana without a visa, as announced by outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo.
He revealed this initiative last month, and during his final state-of-the-nation address on Friday, he confirmed that the policy has been in effect since the start of the year.
The goal of facilitating visa-free travel across the continent has been a longstanding objective for advocates of pan-Africanism and is considered essential for enhancing economic collaboration. Ghana joins four other African nations—Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin—in offering this benefit to travelers from the continent.
“I take pride in having implemented visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, effective from the beginning of this year,” Akufo-Addo stated to lawmakers in his last address to parliament before concluding his eight-year term next week.
“This represents a logical progression towards the African Continental Free Trade Area and the functioning of the world’s largest trading bloc,” he added, referencing the zone that was established four years ago.
In a recent annual assessment of visa accessibility across Africa, Ghana secured the fifth position last year, having already established visa-free travel for citizens from 26 countries on the continent.
In recent years, Ghana has actively positioned itself as an attractive destination for both continental visitors and the African diaspora. In 2019, President Akufo-Addo initiated the Year of Return, aimed at encouraging individuals with African heritage to invest in the nation.
During his final state-of-the-nation address, the president reflected on his two terms in office.
Although he has navigated challenging economic conditions for many Ghanaians, he asserted that “growth has returned to the pre-Covid trajectory,” emphasizing that he leaves behind a nation “that is thriving.”
Having completed two terms, Akufo-Addo was ineligible to seek re-election last month. His party’s chosen successor, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, faced a significant defeat against John Mahama.
Mahama is set to be inaugurated on Tuesday.
