The government of Ghana has begun processes towards the implementation of a visa-free policy for all Africans this year, President Akufo-Addo has said.
Currently, Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia and Benin are the only African countries that provide visa-free entry for all African citizens. Kenya has, since the beginning of the year, started implementing its visa-free policy for all foreigners.
With regional integration programs such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063 of the African Union, which are intended to advance social and economic advancement throughout the continent, it has become necessary for African governments to fast-track the success of such programs with visa-free policies.
Speaking at the opening of the 2024 Africa Prosperity Dialogue on Thursday (25 January), Akufo-Addo said the government is committed to ensuring visa-free for all Africans.
He was speaking on the theme “Developing Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value and Trade.”
“Many of you had to acquire a visa to come to this event, we made a special arrangement for this conference, we reduced the visa acquisition fee by 50%, and we were thus able to receive your visa on arrival,” “The government of Ghana is committed to ensuring visa-free for all Africans, for all Africans travelling into our country, and the process has begun to get the policy implemented this year,” Akufo-Addo added.
A Financial analyst, Mr Christian Donkor spoke with NET2 TV NEWS on the proposed Visa Free policy.
He said beyond tourism, visa requirements imply missed economic opportunities for intra-regional trade, and the local service economy (such as cross-country medical services or education). Improving visa facilitation could generate billions for the tourism sector alone, and create several million new jobs.
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