President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched Ghana’s first electronic visa application portal, describing the initiative as a major step toward modernising the country’s immigration and travel processes.

The newly introduced platform enables travellers to apply for visas online, make payments electronically, and receive approval digitally without the need to visit a Ghanaian embassy or consulate in person.

Speaking at the launch ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026, President Mahama announced that all African passport holders travelling to Ghana for business purposes will now process their visas solely through the online system and will be exempt from visa fees.

“Effective today, all holders of African passports travelling to Ghana for business will apply for a visa exclusively through the new online platform, and they will pay no visa fee,” he stated.

The President further revealed that the country’s previous visa-on-arrival policy has been scrapped and replaced with the new electronic visa arrangement.

“The previous visa-on-arrival system is hereby discontinued and replaced with this new visa regime,” he said.

According to President Mahama, the policy forms part of Ghana’s broader vision to promote African integration and strengthen connections with the African diaspora.

He explained that the long-term objective is to eventually allow people of African descent to travel to Ghana freely without paying visa fees.

“Our long-term vision is even broader. We envisage a future, which is not too far, of a time where all people of African descent can travel to Ghana without paying any visa fee as they reconnect with their ancestry,” he noted.

To support the implementation of that vision, the President directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior to develop the necessary policy framework and operational guidelines.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa assured the public that the new platform would significantly improve efficiency and reduce delays in visa processing.

He disclosed that applicants who complete the process and submit all required documents should expect a decision within 48 hours.

“We are also pleased to announce to you that this e-visa portal, once you begin the visa application process and submit all the supporting documents, you will expect a decision to be delivered to you within 48 hours,” he said.