The Government of Ghana says it is actively working to address the issues that led to the recent revision of US visa policies affecting Ghanaian citizens.
Under the new directive issued by the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs, most Ghanaian applicants for non-immigrant visas will now receive single-entry visas valid for only three months — a significant reduction from the previous multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years.
The development has sparked widespread criticism, with some international relations commentators blaming Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and attributing the move to his recent public exchanges with US authorities.
However, in a press statement dated Thursday, July 10, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration dismissed such claims and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving the matter through diplomatic channels.
“The Ministry acknowledges the legitimate concerns of Ghanaian travellers to the United States for professional, business, educational, touristic, medical and family purposes and expresses its firm solidarity with all those inconvenienced,” the statement read.
The Ministry noted that while every nation has the sovereign right to determine its visa regime, the recent U.S. changes significantly alter the long-standing reciprocal arrangements Ghana has upheld with the United States.
According to the government, Ghana is closely studying the situation and evaluating its options but remains committed to working collaboratively with the U.S. to address the underlying concerns, which reportedly include visa overstays by Ghanaian nationals.
We hope for an early resolution of the concerns that have led to the revision of the schedule which have been confirmed to be overstays, including by ensuring that the conduct of applicants align with the visa application procedures and requirements of the United States,” the Ministry stated.
To highlight Ghana’s commitment to reciprocity, the Ministry revealed that from January 2025 to date, the country’s missions in Washington, DC, and New York have issued a total of 40,648 visas to U.S. nationals. Of these, 28,626 — representing approximately 70.42% — were multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years.
The statement emphasized that Ghana continues to issue U.S. passport holders a range of visa options, including 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 4-year, and 5-year multiple-entry visas, in accordance with bilateral arrangements and individual passport validity.
The Ministry also announced that as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana-US relations, Mr. Ablakwa recently led a delegation of high-level officials to Washington for discussions with U.S. counterparts.
The talks, the Ministry said, yielded significant outcomes and laid the groundwork for continued constructive engagement.
