President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched Ghana’s first-ever electronic visa service portal, introducing a fully digital visa application system aimed at transforming the country’s immigration and travel administration process.
The new e-visa platform allows travellers to apply for visas, submit supporting documents, make payments, and receive approvals electronically without the need to physically visit a Ghanaian embassy or consulate.
Speaking at the launch event held on Monday, May 25, 2026, President Mahama announced a major policy shift affecting African business travellers entering Ghana.
According to the President, all African passport holders travelling to Ghana for business purposes will now apply for visas exclusively through the online platform and will not be required to pay visa fees.
“Effective today, all holders of African passports travelling to Ghana for business will apply for a visa exclusively through the new online platform, and they will pay no visa fee,” President Mahama stated.
He further announced that the previous visa-on-arrival policy had officially been discontinued and replaced with the new digital visa regime.
“The previous visa-on-arrival system is hereby discontinued and replaced with this new visa regime,” he added.
President Mahama described the initiative as part of a broader vision to strengthen continental integration and reconnect Africans and people of African descent with Ghana.
“Our long-term vision is even broader. We envisage a future, which is not too far, of a time where all people of African descent can travel to Ghana without paying any visa fee as they reconnect with their ancestry,” he said.
The President revealed that he had directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior to begin working on the modalities needed to implement the broader visa-free vision.
Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, described the platform as a transformative initiative designed to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and improve Ghana’s attractiveness to tourists, investors, and global partners.
“This platform does something powerful; it removes barriers. No more unnecessary delays, no more uncertainty, no more outdated processes. Instead, we offer speed, convenience and confidence,” he stated.
“We are telling the world that Ghana is ready for business, tourism, global partnership, and above all, Ghana is open for you,” the Interior Minister added.
Mr. Mubarak also stressed that the digital visa system would strengthen national security systems through smarter technology-driven screening processes.
“The openness does not mean weakness. We are not opening our doors carelessly; we are strengthening them, and this platform ensures that security is smarter than ever before,” he noted.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, assured prospective applicants that the platform would significantly reduce visa processing delays.
According to him, applicants who complete the process and submit all required documents should receive decisions within 48 hours.
“We are also pleased to announce to you that this e-visa portal, once you begin the visa application process and submit all the supporting documents, you will expect a decision to be delivered to you within 48 hours. That is how efficient the system is,” he stated.
Government officials say the new e-visa system forms part of Ghana’s broader digital transformation agenda aimed at improving public service delivery, enhancing investor confidence, and positioning the country as a leading destination for tourism, trade, and continental business integration.