Ghana has officially joined the ranks of Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin by offering visa-free entry to all African passport holders.
The groundbreaking policy was announced by Ghana’s outgoing President, Nana Akufo-Addo, during his final State of the Nation address on Friday.
The visa-free policy, which took effect at the start of the year, is a significant milestone in promoting African unity and economic integration. Speaking to parliament, President Akufo-Addo said, “I am proud to have approved visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders. This is the logical next step to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the workings of the largest trading bloc in the world.”
He emphasized the policy’s alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a fully integrated and connected continent by 2063.
Before this announcement, Ghana allowed visa-free access to citizens from 26 African nations and offered visas on arrival to travelers from 25 others. Only citizens of Morocco and Eritrea required visas prior to arrival.
The move follows Ghana’s recent initiatives to bolster its international standing, particularly the “Year of Return” campaign in 2019. The program commemorated 400 years since the transatlantic slave trade and welcomed thousands of African diasporans, including high-profile celebrities, to visit Ghana. It also led to several visitors being granted Ghanaian citizenship, enhancing the country’s reputation as a cultural and tourism hub.
President Akufo-Addo used his final address to highlight his administration’s achievements, including an increase in Ghana’s gross international reserves to $8 billion from $6.2 billion in 2017 and robust economic growth. He projected a GDP growth rate of 6.3% for 2025, signaling Ghana’s steady recovery from global economic challenges.
“I leave behind a Ghana that is thriving, navigating significant global challenges with resilience. Our economy is rebounding, and our institutions are functioning effectively,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo is set to hand over power to President-elect John Mahama, who emerged victorious in December’s elections.
