President John Mahama has appealed to Ghanaians travelling abroad not to overstay their visas, warning that such practices jeopardise opportunities for others and risk reversing recent diplomatic gains with the United States.
Speaking at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, October 1, while addressing newly commissioned Ambassadors and High Commissioners, the President explained that the U.S. decision to lift visa restrictions on Ghana was the outcome of high-level negotiations that hinged on assurances to tackle the problem of visa overstays.
“Many of you are aware that Ghana became the only country subject to U.S. visa restrictions to secure a complete reversal from the Trump administration.
“One of the key points in our negotiation with the U.S. authorities was our agreement to address the issue of overstayers who travel on student visas and others who travel as part of official government delegations,” President Mahama said.
He cautioned applicants that overstaying affects not just individuals but the wider Ghanaian traveling community.
“Those of you applying for visas, please, when you go, come back, because you affect everybody else,” he urged.
President Mahama further clarified that “There was no financial consideration as part of the understanding between Ghana and the United States.”
His comment comes after the United States reversed the visa restrictions previously imposed on Ghana.
The announcement made by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated that Ghanaians are eligible for five-year multiple-entry visas and other enhanced consular privileges.
The US imposed visa restrictions on Ghana and several other countries in July this year, limiting affected citizens to three-month, single-entry visas.
In Ghana’s case, the measure was justified by what US authorities said were high rates of visa overstays, particularly among students.