Accra – Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has launched an electronic visa portal that will allow travellers to apply for entry permits online, with African passport holders getting in for free if they are visiting for business or tourism.
The e-visa platform, unveiled this week, is designed to make the visa application process faster and more accessible without compromising the security checks and due diligence that Ghana applies to all applicants.
The fee waiver for African travellers signals a deliberate push by Accra to position Ghana as a gateway for continental movement, aligning with broader African Union goals around free movement across the continent.
Mahama also announced that Ghana’s international airports are being upgraded. New 3D scanning systems are currently being installed at Terminals 2 and 3, and once operational, passengers will no longer need to remove laptops or liquids from their hand luggage at security checkpoints. From August, additional modern equipment will also do away with the requirement to remove shoes and belts during screening.
Speaking at the launch, Mahama said the reforms are about more than convenience, framing them as part of a wider effort to use technology to improve governance, strengthen border management and deepen African integration, while keeping national security intact.
He said outdated systems can no longer define Ghana’s engagement with the world and that the country’s approach stands apart from a growing global trend towards restriction.
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