Ghana Introduces 5-Day Visa Processing Policy to Boost Tourism and Investment
Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announces a new 5-day visa processing policy to make Ghana more competitive and attractive to tourists and investors. The directive takes immediate effect.
The Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced a new visa policy that guarantees visa application decisions within 5 working days.
The policy, which takes immediate effect, is designed to cut down the previously lengthy visa processing period—once averaging between 4 to 6 weeks—to a maximum of just five business days.
“We have put in place adequate measures at our diplomatic missions worldwide to ensure this expedited processing,” Ablakwa stated. “This is a practical step toward realizing President Mahama’s vision, as declared during his January 7, 2025 inaugural address, that ‘Ghana is open for business.’”
The new policy is part of a broader effort to make Ghana a preferred destination for global investors and tourists by removing bureaucratic hurdles and facilitating easier access to the country.
However, the Foreign Minister emphasized that the 5-day timeframe does not guarantee visa approval. “What it guarantees is that a decision—approval or denial—will be communicated within 5 working days,” he clarified.
Ablakwa reiterated his commitment to ensuring policy coherence and efficient consular services, stressing that this reform is about making Ghana not only welcoming but also business-ready.
“Come enjoy the Black Star experience,” he urged, signaling Ghana’s renewed focus on global engagement, economic development, and cultural diplomacy.
