Ghana’s Visa Reform Debate: Ablakwa Defends New Policy

 

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is making headlines following a heated dispute over visa processing times. Ablakwa announced a new policy reducing visa application processing to five working days, a significant cut from the previous four to six weeks, aligning with President John Mahama’s vision to boost tourism and investment. However, former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Charles Owiredu challenged the claim, asserting that visa processing under the Nana Akufo-Addo administration already took only two to five days.

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 In a sharp rebuttal, Ablakwa dismissed Owiredu’s statement as inaccurate, citing official records from Ghana’s diplomatic missions, including the Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C., which indicate 15 to 20 business days for standard visa applications during the prior administration. Ablakwa emphasized that the new policy, effective immediately, enhances Ghana’s appeal to investors and tourists. The debate has sparked widespread discussion on X, with many praising Ablakwa’s evidence-based response.