• U.S. lifts visa restrictions, grants Ghanaians five-year multiple-entry visas
• Move follows Ghana’s agreement to host U.S.-deported West Africans
• Step seen as easing strained diplomatic ties between Accra and Washington

The United States has lifted visa restrictions previously imposed on Ghana, now allowing Ghanaian citizens to apply for five-year multiple-entry visas and other enhanced consular privileges, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced on Saturday, Sept. 27. The minister shared the diplomatic breakthrough on his official Facebook page.

This measure comes weeks after President John Mahama confirmed that Ghana had agreed to host West African nationals who had been deported from the U.S. as part of its efforts to combat illegal immigration, adding that a first wave of deportees had already been accommodated.

The Ghanaian head of state previously described relations between the two countries as "strained," citing the visa restrictions and the forced increase in customs duties on Ghanaian products from 10 percent to 15 percent. Ablakwa stated the lifting of the restrictions could mark an improvement in diplomatic ties. I am really pleased that months of high-level diplomatic negotiations has led to a successful outcome," the minister said.

The U.S. had justified the initial visa limitations, which were imposed in July, due to years of Ghanaian citizens overstaying their visas, primarily students. The U.S. has also imposed visa restrictions on other countries, including Cameroon and Nigeria. Citizens from these nations have been limited to single-entry visas valid for a maximum of three months, alongside other limitations.

Lydie Mobio