The United States has lifted visa restrictions earlier imposed on Ghana following the country’s decision to cooperate with Washington on the repatriation of migrants.
Ghana had been among several African countries, including Nigeria, affected by the visa restrictions introduced under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
At the time, Washington cited concerns over visa reciprocity and the unwillingness of some countries to accept deported migrants.
Under the restrictions, most Ghanaian applicants were limited to single-entry visas with only three months validity.
However, the Ghanaian government later agreed to accept deported nationals, including some West Africans, a move which eased tensions with the US.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, confirmed the development on social media after a meeting with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
According to him, Ghanaians will once again be eligible for five-year multiple-entry visas as well as other consular privileges.
“I am really pleased that months of high-level diplomatic negotiations has led to a successful outcome,” Ablakwa said.
The US Embassy in Ghana also confirmed the development, announcing that maximum validity periods for all categories of non-immigrant visas had been restored.
These include five years for visitor visas and four years for student visas.
Meanwhile, Nigeria remains under similar visa restrictions.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, recently disclosed that the US had pressured Nigeria to accept Venezuelan deportees, including those from American prisons.
He, however, stressed that Nigeria would not be used as a dumping ground, given its already large population.
Tuggar added that Abuja is in talks with Washington to resolve the visa row, but warned that Nigeria could consider reciprocity if the restrictions persist.