President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has honored his promise made in January 2024 to introduce visa-free travel to Ghana for citizens of all African nations.

A report indicates that the visa-free travel policy was given executive approval on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, and is set to take effect in early 2025. This move will make Ghana the fifth African country to grant open borders to all African passport holders. President Akufo-Addo initially made this pledge during the 2024 Africa Prosperity Dialogues, which focused on the theme “Developing Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value and Trade.”

Speaking to more than 2,000 business executives and political leaders, President Akufo-Addo highlighted Ghana’s dedication to promoting the free movement of people, which is a central goal of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

President Akufo-Addo remarked, “Many of you had to acquire a visa to attend this event. The government of Ghana is committed to ensuring visa-free travel for all Africans entering our country, and the process to implement this policy has already started this year.”

This initiative supports the African Union’s objective of establishing the world’s largest single market by promoting the free movement of goods, services, and people across borders. As the host of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana follows Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin in granting visa-free entry for African citizens.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior, has initiated steps to implement the visa-free policy, with the Ghana Immigration Service set to announce the official launch date, expected on January 1, 2025.

This policy is seen as a pivotal move in addressing the travel challenges faced by African business leaders, such as Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote, who has long criticized the complicated process of securing multiple visas across the continent.

In adopting this policy, Ghana not only reaffirms its commitment to African unity but also honors the legacy of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the country’s first president and a staunch advocate for pan-Africanism. This move strengthens Ghana’s position in Africa’s economic integration and supports the AfCFTA’s vision of a borderless continent.