Ghana begins visa-on-arrival policy for AU member states

Ghana: Ghana Immigration Service has announced that foreign nationals from the African Union (AU) member states traveling to Ghana will now be issued with visas on arrival as the country begin the new policy.

In a statement signed by the head of public affairs of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Mr. Francis Palmdeti, said the arrangement would be tested at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra for three months, and thereafter extended to all other entry points of the country.

"All AU nationals affected by this policy who arrive in the country must have a passport, valid for at least three months, from the date of entry; they must have a return ticket or evidence of onward travel," it said.

The GIS also stated that travelers must show evidence of sufficient funds and proof of accommodation before they are granted visas.

The visa-on-arrival decision by the Ghanaian government is in fulfillment of a proposal adopted at the AU Executive Council meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia earlier this year.

The resolution stipulated that AU Member States review their internal and external security realities in an attempt to implement mechanisms allowing for the issuing of visas on arrival for citizens of Member States, with the possibility of a 30-day stay.

Ghana will now become the first AU member state to adopt the policy and has received commendation from the AU Commission for the bold step.