Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has credited the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for laying the foundation for Ghana’s newly launched E-Visa system.
He described the initiative as a national achievement that evolved through years of policy planning and institutional collaboration.
In a detailed article on Ghana’s E-Visa programme and African integration, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee said. At the same time, the current government deserves recognition for implementing the platform; the origins of the reform date back several years.
Also read: Jinapor: Ghana must move beyond e-visa to full visa-free travel
According to Jinapor, the groundwork for the E-Visa initiative was established under the Akufo-Addo administration through a series of policy decisions, technical agreements, and consultations involving multiple state agencies.
“The launch we are now witnessing is the product of sustained effort across administrations,” he stated. “The E-Visa reform is a national achievement, and the history of how it came to be ought to be told in full.”
Jinapor explained that in February 2020, the Akufo-Addo government entered into a Technical Support Agreement with Orell Füssli Security Printing Limited of Switzerland and TGN Digital Security Limited to facilitate the deployment of machine-readable visa technology and the broader infrastructure required for an electronic visa system.
He further noted that in February 2023, the Cabinet directed the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior to jointly develop the policy framework and implementation guidelines necessary for Ghana’s Electronic Visa Administration.
According to him, extensive technical testing, stakeholder consultations, and policy development followed, involving institutions such as the Ghana Immigration Service, National Security, the Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana Airports Company Limited, and the Ministry of Finance.
The collaborative efforts, he said, culminated in executive approval for the Electronic Visa Administration and Policy Framework in late 2024, paving the way for the eventual rollout of the system.
The E-Visa platform was officially launched on Africa Day, May 25, 2026, as part of the government’s efforts to modernise visa administration, improve border management, and make Ghana more attractive to investors, tourists, and business travellers.
Under the new arrangement, African passport holders travelling to Ghana can apply online and are exempt from visa fees.
However, Jinapor stressed that the introduction of the E-Visa system should not be mistaken for full visa-free travel, noting that travellers are still required to obtain prior approval to enter the country.
He argued that Ghana should continue pursuing broader reforms to promote the free movement of people across Africa, in line with the African Union’s vision and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Damongo MP maintained that simplifying travel procedures and removing barriers to mobility would strengthen trade, investment, and economic cooperation across the continent.
As Ghana prepares to celebrate its Platinum Jubilee and President John Dramani Mahama is expected to assume the Chairmanship of the African Union, Jinapor said the country has an opportunity to reaffirm its leadership role in advancing Africa’s integration agenda.
He called on the government to accelerate the ratification and implementation of key African Union and AfCFTA protocols to deepen continental cooperation and unlock new opportunities for businesses and citizens across Africa.