Ghanaians Can Travel to These Three Countries Without Visa – Okudzeto Ablakwa

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in an official Facebook announcement, Ghana’s Cabinet has approved proposed visa exemption agreements with Antigua and Barbuda, the Maldives and Zambia, a development that could make international travel easier for Ghanaian passport holders.

The proposed arrangements are expected to allow citizens of Ghana and the three partner countries to visit one another without obtaining visas for short stays once the agreements receive the necessary parliamentary approval and become effective.

Under the proposed arrangements, the visa exemption will cover holders of ordinary, service and diplomatic passports. Eligible travellers will be permitted to stay in any of the participating countries for a maximum of 30 days per visit.

The development represents another step in Ghana’s efforts to improve passport mobility and strengthen diplomatic relationships with countries across different regions. It would also provide additional opportunities for Ghanaians interested in tourism, business activities, investment and educational exchanges.

Antigua and Barbuda, located in the Caribbean, the Maldives in South Asia and Zambia in Southern Africa represent three different geographical regions. Establishing visa-free arrangements with these countries could help strengthen Ghana’s international connections beyond its traditional diplomatic partnerships.

For ordinary Ghanaian travellers, the proposed exemption could reduce the administrative requirements and expenses associated with obtaining travel visas. Businesspeople and investors could also benefit from easier access when exploring opportunities in the participating countries.

However, Cabinet approval does not mean that the visa-free arrangements are already operational. The agreements must first be presented to Parliament for ratification before they can take effect.

This means Ghanaian passport holders should continue to follow the existing visa requirements when planning trips to Antigua and Barbuda, the Maldives or Zambia until the ratification process is completed and the agreements officially become effective.

The proposed policy also highlights the importance of maintaining reliable passport systems as Ghana expands access to international destinations. Easier international movement must be supported by effective identity verification and measures to prevent fraudulent use of travel documents.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry’s announcement comes amid broader efforts to improve Ghana’s diplomatic engagement and create more opportunities for citizens to travel across international borders.

If Parliament ratifies the three agreements, Ghanaian citizens could gain additional destinations for short-term visits without the usual visa application process. The arrangements would also allow nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, the Maldives and Zambia to enjoy similar travel privileges when visiting Ghana.

For now, attention remains on the parliamentary ratification process, which will determine when the proposed 30-day visa exemption arrangements can officially begin.

Source: Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Official Facebook Post

Mathews feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com