Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has dismissed claims circulating on social media suggesting that the government risks facing judgment debt over the rollout of Ghana’s new electronic visa system.
Speaking at the launch of Ghana’s E-Visa Portal at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, the Minister stated that no existing e visa contract had been breached or cancelled by the government.
According to him, concerns raised online alleging that authorities had ignored an existing contract arrangement were inaccurate and unsupported by official records.
Hon. Ablakwa said the government had thoroughly reviewed all relevant documentation and found no evidence of any existing contract covering an electronic visa arrangement. “Let me allay the fears of the people of Ghana that there is no such existing e visa contract. Nothing of the sort exists,” he said.
Government Consulted Attorney General
The Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that the Ministry of Interior had formally consulted the Attorney General to determine whether any contractual obligations relating to an electronic visa system existed.
According to him, the Attorney General reviewed documents relating to a previous machine readable visa sticker arrangement that some individuals had mistakenly linked to the current e visa project.
Hon. Ablakwa explained that the Attorney General concluded that the earlier agreement did not constitute an electronic visa arrangement. “The machine-readable contract is different from an e visa system,” he stated.
He added that the government’s legal review process involved the Ministry’s legal department as well as consultations with relevant state institutions to ensure that the rollout of the new platform complied fully with existing legal and contractual requirements.
“Our Director of Legal is here. Indeed, the Minister of the Interior also wrote to the Attorney General to find out if there was any such contract”.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Minister Rules Out Judgment Debt
Hon. Ablakwa assured the public that the implementation of the electronic visa platform would not expose the state to any financial liabilities or legal disputes.
“And so let me assure the general public that there will be no judgment debt, no contract has been cancelled anywhere, and we do not have any issues at all so far as contracting is concerned”.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
His comments come amid public discussions regarding the legal implications of introducing the new digital visa system and whether previous arrangements had been set aside without due process.
The Minister maintained that government had acted transparently and responsibly throughout the process leading to the launch of the platform.
E-Visa System Operates Under PPP Model
The Foreign Affairs Minister also disclosed that the e-visa platform is being implemented under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement designed to reduce financial pressure on the state.
According to him, the private partner involved in the project is responsible for financing and setting up the digital infrastructure while government institutions provide regulatory supervision and oversight.
“This is also a PPP arrangement,” he said. Hon. Ablakwa explained that the arrangement ensures taxpayers are not directly burdened with the cost of establishing the system.
“The private partner is setting up the system, of course, under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications, NITA, and the Cyber Security Authority. So they are investing, and that is how they will recoup their investment over a long period”.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Government Defends Cost Effectiveness
The Minister described the arrangement as financially prudent and beneficial to the state because it avoids the need for direct government expenditure on the technology infrastructure.
According to him, the structure of the partnership demonstrates how government institutions can collaborate with private sector actors to deliver public services efficiently without creating additional pressure on the national budget.
Hon. Ablakwa further stressed that the project had been developed with strong institutional oversight involving key agencies responsible for digital governance and cybersecurity.
The participation of institutions such as the National Information Technology Agency and the Cyber Security Authority is intended to ensure the security, integrity, and reliability of the new visa platform.
Digital Visa Reform Agenda
The launch of the electronic visa system forms part of the Mahama government’s broader efforts to modernise public services and improve Ghana’s international travel and immigration processes through digital technology.
Government believes the platform will simplify visa applications for business travellers and tourists while improving efficiency and transparency in visa processing. Officials have also argued that the digital system will strengthen Ghana’s attractiveness as a destination for tourism, investment, and international business activity.
Hon. Ablakwa expressed confidence that the clarification provided by the government would help address concerns surrounding the project and restore public confidence in the implementation process. “And I hope that this clarifies all of those matters that came up this morning,” he concluded.
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