President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has granted approval for visa-free entry to Ghana for all African nationals, fulfilling a key promise made earlier this yr.
The coverage is anticipated to take impact earlier than the tip of the president’s time period on January sixth, 2025.
In accordance with BBC Information, All African passport holders at the moment are capable of go to Ghana while not having a visa, outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo has stated.
Reviews inform that this locations Ghana among the many few African nations providing visa-free entry to all African passport holders, becoming a member of Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin. The transfer is a step towards bettering the motion of individuals, items, and companies throughout the continent, and it’s anticipated to foster higher financial integration below the African Continental Free Commerce Space (AfCFTA).
Coverage purpose: bettering continental integration
In his closing state-of-the-nation deal with on Friday, he stated that the coverage had come into impact at first of the yr.
“I’m proud to have authorized visa-free journey to Ghana for all African passport holders, with impact from the start of this yr,” Akufo-Addo advised lawmakers in his final deal with to parliament earlier than he steps down subsequent week after eight years in workplace.
“That is the logical subsequent step to the African Continental Free Commerce Space and the workings of the biggest buying and selling bloc on the earth,” he stated referring to the zone that got here into impact 4 years in the past.
Dedication to the coverage
Akufo-Addo had introduced this final month, whereas delivering his deal with below the theme “Growing Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Worth, and Commerce.” He acknowledged the challenges many African residents face when touring inside the continent. “A lot of you needed to purchase a visa to attend this occasion,” he stated, highlighting the boundaries that also exist.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s dedication to visa-free journey for all African nationals, noting that steps had already been taken to implement the coverage this yr.
Anticipated impression on the AfCFTA
The introduction of visa-free journey is seen as an vital step towards attaining the objectives of the African Continental Free Commerce Space (AfCFTA), which goals to create a single continental marketplace for items and companies.
By eradicating visa necessities, Ghana is fostering deeper financial integration and making it simpler for individuals to maneuver freely throughout the continent. This aligns with the broader targets of AfCFTA to stimulate intra-African commerce and enhance financial cooperation amongst African nations.
Implementation timeline
The brand new visa-free entry coverage might be in impact earlier than the tip of President Akufo-Addo’s time period on January sixth, 2025. The president’s approval of the initiative marks the start of its implementation, with the Ghanaian authorities taking the mandatory steps to roll out the coverage. The transfer is anticipated to reinforce Ghana’s function within the area and strengthen its ties with neighboring African nations.
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