Ghana Launches E-Visa Program by Early 2026

Ghana is set to launch an Electronic Visa (e-visa) policy in the first quarter of 2026, streamlining entry requirements for visitors and aiming to boost tourism and investment.

The announcement was made by Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, at the closing of the maiden Diaspora Summit in Accra on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The new policy seeks to reduce wait times and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles often associated with traditional visa applications.

According to Mr. Ablakwa, the initiative is a direct result of a presidential mandate to modernise Ghana’s diplomatic infrastructure. “I am delighted to announce to you that this government, under strict instruction of President John Dramani Mahama, will be rolling out an e-visa policy in the first quarter of next year, 2026,” he stated.

The e-visa system will feature a tiered pricing structure, offering a “special dispensation” for members of the African diaspora. This means Africans living abroad will benefit from reduced application costs, making travel to Ghana more accessible. “We have discussed with management and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that we are going to have a special dispensation for Africans in the diaspora so that you will not have to make the same payments as others will make, and you can travel to the motherland easily, smoothly and more conveniently,” Mr Ablakwa explained.

Furthermore, Ghana will implement a reciprocal fee structure for all foreign nationals. This means the cost of a visa for citizens of a particular country will be aligned with the fees charged to Ghanaians travelling to that country. “How much we pay when we want to go into their country, we will make sure we are all paying the same in the spirit of reciprocity, so we can all raise the funds that we need to develop our country,” the Minister added.

In related news, Mr. Ablakwa also hinted at the imminent revival of Ghana Airways. A technical committee, established by President Mahama, is finalising plans to return the national carrier to operation. He argued that a national airline is vital for economic sovereignty, pointing out that the funds spent on flights by attendees of the Diaspora Summit would have remained within Ghana if the airline were operational. “Imagine if all the tickets of those who flew into the country were on Ghana Airways; that money would have been an investment in the Ghanaian economy and not in the other countries… where those ticket resources are going to,” he remarked.

Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy, Augustus Goosie Obuadum Tanoh, underscored the economic benefits of these reforms, urging the diaspora to view them as an invitation to invest. He explained that the 24-hour economy programme aims to revitalise underutilised assets – including ports, factories, and hospitals – by operating them continuously to meet global market demands. “The programme would organise production around integrated value chains in strategic sectors, linking agriculture to processing through agro-industrial partnerships supported by logistics hubs,” Mr Tanoh stated.

The government is presenting these initiatives – the e-visa system, the revival of Ghana Airways, and the 24-hour economy – as a “triple threat” strategy to address economic challenges and position Ghana as a leading investment destination.

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