Ghana will now process all visa applications within a maximum of five working days, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa has announced. The new directive, which takes immediate effect, marks a significant departure from the previous average processing time of four to six weeks.
According to the Minister, the move is part of broader efforts to improve consular services and position Ghana as a top destination for investment and tourism. “We have put in place adequate measures at our diplomatic missions to drastically cut down the visa processing time,” Mr. Ablakwa stated.
The announcement aligns with President John Mahama’s January 7, 2025, inaugural declaration that “Ghana is opened for business.” Mr. Ablakwa said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to giving practical meaning to that vision through “expedited consular facilitation and policy coherence.”
The Minister added that the faster processing time does not guarantee approval. “This 5-day visa processing policy does not by any stretch of imagination mean automatic visa approval; a decision will be made within five working days as to whether one is eligible for a Ghanaian visa or not.”
Mr. Ablakwa reaffirmed the government’s intention to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and make Ghana strongly competitive on the global stage.
“Ghana is truly open for business,” he said. “Come enjoy the Black Star experience.
