Accra: Ghanaian citizens holding ordinary passports can now travel to 41 countries without needing to obtain a visa in advance, as announced by the Media Relations Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fred Duhoe. This visa waiver arrangement facilitates travel for both leisure and business purposes to a variety of destinations, including 28 non-ECOWAS countries and the 14 other member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
According to Ghana Web, most of these countries permit Ghanaian passport holders to stay for up to 90 days. However, specific countries such as Grenada, Maldives, and Zambia allow for shorter stays of up to 30 days. The list of non-ECOWAS countries includes Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, and several others, each with its own permitted duration of stay.
Ghanaians traveling to Morocco are required to obtain a free Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online, while those traveling to the United Arab Emirates must secure a visa at the UAE Embassy in Accra, subject to the relevant fees. The arrangement marks a significant step towards enhancing Ghana's global mobility and fostering international connections.
Within the ECOWAS region, Ghanaian ordinary passport holders can enjoy visa-free travel to all member states for up to 90 days. These countries include Benin, Burkina Faso, C´te d'Ivoire, and others, providing seamless travel across the West African sub-region.
The current visa waiver arrangements are part of Ghana's broader network of agreements, aimed at simplifying travel for ordinary passport holders. It is important for travelers to adhere to the entry requirements of each country, including any necessary electronic travel authorizations or other conditions. The arrangement does not extend to service or diplomatic passport holders, who may be subject to different agreements.