Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that applicants using Ghana’s newly launched electronic visa platform will receive decisions on their visa applications within 48 hours after submitting all required documents.
Speaking at the launch of Ghana’s E-Visa Portal at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, the Minister described the system as a highly efficient premium service designed to simplify and accelerate visa processing for international travellers seeking entry into Ghana.
“We are also pleased to announce today that this e visa portal, once you begin the application process, you submit all the supporting documents, you expect a decision to be delivered to you within 48 hours”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
According to him, the platform guarantees applicants a clear response within two days, allowing travellers to know quickly whether their visa requests have been approved or denied. “That is how efficient the system is. So you will know within 48 hours whether your visa has been approved or not,” he added.
Business and Tourist Visas Covered
The Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that the portal currently covers two categories of visas, namely business visas and tourist visas. According to him, the system has been designed to offer a premium service supported by secure digital infrastructure and enhanced verification mechanisms.
Hon. Ablakwa noted that several categories of travellers have been exempted from the new visa payment arrangement. These include diplomatic passport holders, countries with bilateral visa waiver agreements with Ghana, student visa applicants, and family visa applicants.
He explained that Ghana would continue to honour all existing bilateral visa agreements signed with partner countries. “About 50 of them will continue to respect the sanctity of those visa waiver agreements that we have signed,” he stated.
Government Announces Visa Processing Fee
As part of the launch, the Mahama government announced that applicants using the e-visa platform would pay a processing fee of 260 United States dollars.
According to the Minister, the fee reflects the premium nature of the service and remains competitive compared to visa charges imposed on Ghanaian travellers by many other countries.
“Now you will agree with me that a robust system which has all of these secure firewalls, which is so convenient, you have your decision within 48 hours, you must pay a premium amount”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Hon. Ablakwa suggested that despite the fee level, Ghana remained relatively moderate in its pricing when compared with charges faced by Ghanaians abroad.
The Minister also commended President John Dramani Mahama for supporting the initiative and approving what he described as a generous and balanced pricing structure.
Multi-Sectoral Collaboration Behind the Initiative
The Foreign Affairs Minister attributed the successful implementation of the e-visa platform to improved cooperation among government ministries and state institutions.
He noted that previous attempts to establish an integrated electronic visa system were often affected by disagreements among agencies over operational control and revenue management. “For many, many years, ministries could not work together,” he remarked.
According to him, past tensions particularly involved disagreements between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior regarding responsibility for the e-visa system.
However, he said the current administration had succeeded in bringing all relevant institutions together under a common vision. “Thanks to the visionary leadership of our President, who brought all of us together and our understanding, we have been able to forge a very strong partnership,” he stated.
Partnership Between Key State Institutions
Hon. Ablakwa praised the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, for what he described as a patriotic and cooperative approach during discussions leading to the launch.
He recounted how previous institutional disagreements had delayed progress on the project and stressed that the current level of collaboration represented a major change in government coordination.
The Minister further highlighted the involvement of several institutions and agencies in making the platform operational, including the Ministry of Interior, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Ghana Airports Company Limited, Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Tourism.
He also acknowledged support from the Black Star Experience initiative and the Diaspora Affairs Office, noting that their efforts continue to help position Ghana as a preferred destination for international travellers and diaspora communities.
Promoting Ghana as a Preferred Destination
The government believes the introduction of the e-visa portal will improve Ghana’s attractiveness as a tourism and business destination by reducing delays associated with traditional visa processing systems.
Officials say the platform is expected to simplify travel arrangements for investors, tourists, and international business travellers while strengthening Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.
The launch forms part of broader efforts to modernise public services and improve international access to Ghana through technology driven systems.
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