US decision to restore long-term visas for Ghanaians, follows Ghana’s agreement to accept deportees, easing tensions and boosting travel between the two nations.
The United States has lifted visa restrictions on Ghana, reinstating five-year, multiple-entry visas for Ghanaian citizens after more than a year of diplomatic tension.
The move, announced during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, comes after Ghana agreed to accept citizens deported from the United States and other West African nations. The restrictions, imposed in July 2025, had limited Ghanaian travelers to single-entry visas valid for only three months, drawing criticism from business leaders, students, and the Ghanaian diaspora.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed the policy reversal following talks with Allison Hooker, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Ablakwa hailed the development as a “significant breakthrough” in U.S.–Ghana relations and said it would once again allow Ghanaians to apply for longer-term, multiple-entry visas.
“This is welcome news for families, students, and businesses who depend on predictable travel to the United States,” he told reporters.
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Diplomatic sources say Ghana’s cooperation with U.S. deportation requests was central to the decision. Earlier this month, at least 14 deportees from across West Africa were flown into Accra under the new agreement, signaling Accra’s willingness to resolve what had been a major sticking point for Washington.
The U.S. Embassy in Accra has acknowledged the announcement and is expected to release further details on the implementation timeline. Ghanaian officials, meanwhile, have assured citizens that consular services will soon return to pre-2025 levels.
Analysts view the restoration of visa privileges as a sign that both nations are keen to strengthen ties beyond migration issues. “This decision resets the relationship on a positive note and opens the door for deeper collaboration on trade, security, and cultural exchange,” said one Accra-based policy expert.
However, observers caution that the restored visa terms may depend on Ghana’s continued compliance with U.S. deportation agreements. Migration policy remains a politically sensitive issue in Washington, and future tensions could quickly reemerge if cooperation falters.
For now, the decision is expected to ease travel, encourage business activity, and boost people-to-people links between the two countries. Both governments have signaled plans to use the momentum to expand cooperation in education, technology, and counterterrorism efforts across West Africa.
Africa Daily News, New York
