Ghana Grants Visa-Free Access to All African Passport Holders in Bold Step Toward Continental Integration
Ghana’s outgoing President, Nana Akufo-Addo, has announced that from January 1, all African passport holders will be allowed to travel to Ghana without the need for a visa, a historic move aimed at fostering greater continental economic integration. This announcement was made during Akufo-Addo’s final state of the nation address on Friday, as he prepares to step down after two terms in office.
“I am proud to have approved visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, with effect from the beginning of this year,” Akufo-Addo told lawmakers. He described this policy as a logical progression toward the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s largest trading bloc. The president highlighted that this initiative is a crucial part of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims to create a fully integrated and connected Africa by 2063.
With this change, Ghana becomes one of a select few African nations joining Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin that have implemented similar visa-free policies for African citizens. Before this shift, Ghana already provided visa-free access for citizens of 26 African nations and offered visas on arrival for travelers from 25 others. Only Eritrea and Morocco required a visa before entry.
The move aligns with Ghana’s broader efforts to bolster its global standing, particularly following the success of the 2019 Year of Return campaign, which commemorated the 400th anniversary of the transatlantic slave trade. The initiative attracted thousands of visitors, including celebrities, and further solidified Ghana’s position as a cultural and tourism hub, with some visitors even granted citizenship.
In his address, Akufo-Addo also reflected on Ghana’s economic progress under his leadership. He highlighted an increase in Ghana’s gross international reserves, which grew from $6.2 billion in 2017 to $8 billion. Furthermore, the president pointed to a strong GDP growth outlook for 2024, with a projected 6.3% growth rate for 2025. Despite grappling with one of the worst economic crises in decades since 2022, the country has demonstrated resilience, navigating global challenges with what Akufo-Addo called “remarkable tenacity.”
As he prepares to hand over power to John Mahama, the winner of the December elections, Akufo-Addo expressed confidence that he was leaving behind a “thriving” Ghana, one with a steadily recovering economy and strong institutions. The visa-free policy represents a lasting legacy of his presidency, contributing to the vision of a more connected and integrated Africa.
