Collins Sefa The Government of Ghana is set to roll out a nationwide Electronic Visa (E-Visa) policy in the first quarter of 2026 as part of broader efforts to modernise immigration processes, boost tourism and strengthen engagement with the African diaspora.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the policy at the closing session of the maiden Diaspora Summit held in Accra on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
According to the minister, the new E-Visa system has been introduced on the direct instruction of President John Dramani Mahama and is aimed at making travel to Ghana more seamless, efficient and accessible.
“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,” Mr Ablakwa told participants.
Special Concessions for the African Diaspora
A key feature of the policy is a special concession for Africans in the diaspora, who will benefit from reduced visa application fees and a streamlined travel process.
“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. You can travel to the motherland easily, smoothly and more conveniently,” the minister explained.
He said the initiative aligns with the government’s broader objective of deepening cultural, economic and emotional ties between Ghana and Africans living abroad, particularly descendants of enslaved Africans.
Reciprocal Visa Fees
Mr Ablakwa also disclosed that Ghana will adopt a reciprocal visa fee regime, ensuring that visa charges imposed on foreigners reflect what Ghanaians pay when applying to enter those same countries.
“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,” he said.
The policy, he noted, will promote fairness while also generating additional revenue to support national development.
Return of Ghana Airways
In a related development, the Foreign Affairs Minister hinted at the imminent return of Ghana Airways, Ghana’s defunct national airline.
He revealed that President Mahama has directed that work on reviving the airline be fast-tracked, with a technical committee close to completing its mandate.
“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,” Mr Ablakwa said.
He noted that the absence of a national carrier has resulted in billions of cedis leaving the country annually through foreign airlines, a situation the government is determined to reverse.
The revival of Ghana Airways, he added, would also allow the state to offer discounted fares to diaspora visitors and support visa-free or reduced-cost travel initiatives in the future.
Describing the move as both economic and symbolic, the minister said the return of the national airline would restore national pride and reaffirm the vision of Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Diaspora Investment and the 24-Hour Economy
Also speaking at the summit, Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, Augustus Goosie Obuadum Tanoh, outlined how the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy programme presents new investment opportunities for diaspora investors.
He explained that the policy seeks to address structural inefficiencies by organising production around integrated value chains, particularly in agriculture, agro-processing, logistics, health, finance and export-oriented industries.
According to Mr Tanoh, many factories, ports, warehouses, hospitals and markets currently operate below capacity due to fragmented systems and logistical bottlenecks.
“The 24-Hour Economy will ensure these productive assets operate efficiently across time, recognising that global markets never sleep and value chains are increasingly time-sensitive,” he said.
A Renewed Push for Investment and Tourism
Government officials at the summit stressed that increased diaspora investment, combined with ongoing state-led reforms, could significantly accelerate economic growth, job creation and industrialisation.
The introduction of the E-Visa policy, together with the planned revival of Ghana Airways and the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy programme, signals a renewed push by the Mahama administration to position Ghana as a leading gateway for investment, tourism and diaspora engagement in Africa.
