Ghana’s Parliament has approved the ratification of bilateral visa waiver agreements with Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, Colombia, and the Commonwealth of Dominica, aimed at facilitating citizen mobility and strengthening cooperation between the countries.
According to a statement released by Ghana’s Parliament on Friday, July 25th, the agreements — which apply to holders of diplomatic, service, and ordinary passports — will enable smoother movement of people, promoting commercial, cultural, and institutional exchanges among the signatory nations.
Presenting the report during the parliamentary session, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, emphasized that the measure is intended to reinforce multilateral partnerships in strategic sectors such as education, energy, trade, tourism, and agriculture.
“Enhanced mobility is a key instrument for deepening international cooperation. With these agreements, we are opening new pathways for joint and shared development,” he stated.
Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, assured lawmakers that the visa exemptions would not have any immediate or direct fiscal impact, as any potential losses in consular fee revenues would be offset by medium- and long-term economic and social gains. “This is an investment strategy in international relations. By facilitating the movement of people, we foster trade, tourism, and technical and scientific cooperation,” Ablakwa said, adding that Ghana is committed to strengthening ties with African nations and partners in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The measure is expected to particularly benefit the tourism, higher education, and private investment sectors, at a time when several African countries, including Mozambique, are seeking to diversify their trade partners and consolidate regional and intercontinental integration.
Source: Diário Económico
