Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo announced on Friday that from the start of this year, all African passport holders will be able to travel to Ghana without a visa. This move is seen as a significant step toward fostering economic integration across the continent.
Akufo-Addo made the announcement during his final State of the Nation address before stepping down on January 6, after serving two terms in office.
“I am proud to have approved visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, effective from the start of this year,” Akufo-Addo said in his speech to parliament.
He emphasized that this move aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and supports the functioning of the world’s largest trading bloc. “This is a logical next step towards realizing the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a connected and integrated Africa by 2063,” he added.
With this new policy, Ghana joins Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin in offering visa-free access to African travelers. Previously, Ghana allowed visa-free entry for citizens of 26 African countries, provided visas on arrival for travelers from 25 others, and only required visas from citizens of Eritrea and Morocco.
The visa-free policy builds on Ghana’s broader efforts to enhance its global standing, including the 2019 Year of Return campaign. This initiative, which marked 400 years since the transatlantic slave trade, encouraged members of the African diaspora to visit Ghana. The campaign not only attracted thousands of visitors, including celebrities, but also led to some individuals receiving citizenship, solidifying Ghana’s position as a cultural and tourism hub.
