NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has promised that if he is elected, citizens from all African countries and the Caribbean won’t need a visa to visit Ghana.
Dr. Bawumia who was speaking at the launch of the NPP’s manifesto in the Western regional capital, Takoradi on Sunday, August 19, 2024, said Ghana has become a go-to destination for many people of black descent in the diaspora, thanks to the Year of Return 2019 and the current Beyond the Return project championed by the Ghana Tourism Authority.
In 2019, there were 1,130,307 international arrivals. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a sharp decline of 69% in the subsequent years.
The 3rd and 4th quarters of 2021 saw a remarkable rebound, leading to a 76% surge in total arrivals during that period. This positive trend continued with arrivals nearly doubling in 2022, marking a 47% growth.
In 2023, arrivals reached 1,148,002, showing a 25% increase from the previous year and a 2% rise above pre-COVID figures, signalling a strong recovery.
Visa acquisition is a major hurdle for people of African descent in the diaspora wishing to visit Ghana and reconnect with their roots. The visa-on-arrival process demands a pre-approval visa before the tourist arrives in Ghana.
In December, the GTA, the Transport Ministry, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry collaborate to eliminate the need for pre-approvals and lessen visa-on-arrival fees.
The commitment to exempt visa requirements for all Africans and Caribbean citizens is a significant stride in establishing Ghana as an appealing destination and expanding on the accomplishments of the Beyond the Return initiative.
