The United States has lifted visa restrictions imposed on Ghana earlier this year and reintroduced the issuance of five-year multiple-entry visas to Ghanaian nationals.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, confirmed the development on Friday via his official X handle, following a bilateral meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
“This good news was directly communicated to me… I am really pleased that months of high-level diplomatic negotiations have led to a successful outcome,” Ablakwa said, noting that the agreement restores access to long-term visas and enhanced consular privileges for Ghanaians.
The reversal comes just 15 days after Ghanaian President John Mahama announced that his government had agreed to U.S. requests to accept deportees from West African countries.
Background to the Dispute
In July, the Trump administration imposed visa restrictions on at least 32 countries—more than half of them African—citing the refusal of some governments to repatriate their nationals. Ghana was among those affected.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, had linked the restrictions to Washington’s hardline immigration stance, while U.S. officials maintained it was due to concerns over visa overstays and inconsistencies in applicant bio-data.
At least 28 West Africans, including 11 Nigerians, were deported to Ghana as part of the U.S. policy. Most have since been relocated to their home countries.
The latest announcement marks a breakthrough in U.S.–Ghana relations and is expected to ease travel for thousands of Ghanaian professionals, students, and business leaders with strong ties to the United States.
📩 Reported by: Stone Reporters News
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