GHANA’S visa-on-arrival
policy for African citizens has
not yet been implemented,
contradicting newspaper
reports that the West African
country had started issuing
visas on arrival from July 8.
A spokesperson for the
Ghana Immigration Service
(GIS) at Kotoka International
Airport in Accra, told TNW that
travellers still needed to apply
at the Ghana Embassy or High
Commission in their country
of residence for a visa prior
to travelling to Ghana. “We
haven’t received any official
documentation as yet, which is
why we haven’t implemented
the new measures. Travellers
are still advised to apply for a
visa prior to travelling to Ghana.
People who arrive without a
visa do so at their own risk,”
he said.
Only in cases of emergency,
can travellers ask for a visa
on arrival, according to
the GIS spokesperson.
However, a request for this
‘entry permit’ has to be filed by
the Ghanaian host on behalf of
the traveller with the Director
of Immigration in Ghana. If
granted, the ‘emergency entry
permit’ is valid for only 14
days.
The High Commission in
Pretoria also told TNW that the
much-anticipated visa on arrival
for AU citizens had not been
implemented.”
The news reports refer to
an ‘official statement’ issued
by the GIS on July 8, and
reportedly signed by Francis
Palmdeti, the head of Public
Affairs of GIS. The statement
indicates that the visa-on-arrival
programme will be piloted at
the Kotoka International Airport
for three months before being
extended to other points of
entry.
The statement reportedly
reads: “The Ghana Immigration
Service wishes to bring to the
attention of the general public
that, with immediate effect, all
African Union (AU) Nationals
whose countries do not have
a visa-free agreement with
Ghana would be able to obtain
visas on arrival at the Kotoka
International Airport [KIA].
“All AU nationals affected
by the policy who arrive in the
country must have a passport,
valid for at least three months
from the date of entry; they
must have a return ticket or
evidence of onward travel;
they must show evidence of
sufficient funds and proof of
accommodation before they are
granted visas.
“All such visas would be
issued for validity of 30 days;
they would be subject to the
provisions of Section 4 of the
Immigration Act, 2000
(Act 573), which applies to
all travellers entering Ghana.
