The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Akwasi Agyemang, has emphasized the need for robust border security to prevent abuse of the newly introduced visa-free regime for African nationals.<\/p>\n Speaking to JoyNews, Mr. Agyemang stressed that while the initiative aims to boost tourism and intra-African travel, it requires stringent measures to manage the increased influx of visitors effectively. He assured that thorough checks would be conducted at entry points despite the visa-free arrangement.<\/p>\n \u201cAll necessary checks will still be conducted. It should not be misconstrued that passports and other documents will not be verified because of the visa-free policy,\u201d Mr. Agyemang clarified.<\/p>\n \u201cVisitors will be asked a few questions, and their passports will be inspected to confirm they are African and to identify their country of origin.<\/p>\n \u201cWe must strengthen our security measures at the borders to ensure that the positive impacts outweigh potential negatives.\u201d<\/p>\n He also called for enhanced safety protocols in border towns, ensuring the security and well-being of both travelers and local residents.<\/p>\n The visa-free policy, approved by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on December 18, 2024, allows citizens of all African nations to enter Ghana without a visa.<\/p>\n This executive directive positions Ghana alongside countries like Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin, which already offer visa-free entry to all African passport holders.<\/p>\n The initiative fulfills a promise made by President Akufo-Addo during the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD 2024) held in January 2024. It is expected to strengthen ties among African nations, promote trade, and boost tourism within the continent.<\/p>\n While the policy represents a significant step toward African unity, Mr. Agyemang\u2019s comments highlight the importance of balancing accessibility with security to maximize the benefits of this historic initiative.<\/p>\n Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:<\/b><\/p>\n![\"Akwasi](\"https:\/\/cdn.ghanaweb.com\/imagelib\/pics\/223\/22362361.295.jpg\" "\\"Akwasi")
Akwasi Agyemang is the GTA CEO<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n