Keypoints:
- Free visas confirmed for Summit delegates
- Ministry cites Pan-African solidarity
- Reciprocal waivers listed
GHANA’S Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that all participants registered for the Diaspora Summit 2025 will receive free visas before travelling to Accra, in a move officials say underscores the country’s commitment to welcoming Africans and people of African descent back to the continent.
The notice, amplified publicly by Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, restated a pledge given during the Summit’s media launch. According to the Ministry, the visa waiver is being rolled out ‘in the spirit of pan Africanism to allow Africans and people of African descent to participate in the Summit aimed at fostering cooperation and forging enduring partnerships for the pursuit of our common good’.
The Summit is scheduled for December 19 to 20 at the Accra International Conference Centre. The Ministry said the visa concession is a central part of ensuring the event is accessible, stressing that the initiative is designed to encourage active participation from diaspora communities worldwide.
Ministry urges prompt action by delegates
The Ministry advised attendees to initiate visa processes well ahead of time, stating: ‘Prospective participants are advised to register via the portal before 8th December 2024.’ It added: ‘The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform prospective participants to visit the nearest Embassy/High Commission of Ghana or Consulate in their country of residence to obtain free visas prior to their departure to Ghana.’
Officials emphasised the government’s readiness to assist, noting that the Ministry ‘looks forward to welcoming participants to the Diaspora Summit 2025’, and encouraged all registered individuals to ‘promptly proceed to Ghana Missions abroad for visa processing’.
The Ministry further reiterated that all relevant updates would be shared through its official communication channels and on the Summit website.
Reciprocal visa exemptions reaffirmed
In addition to the free visa arrangement, the Ministry restated the list of countries whose nationals already enjoy visa-free entry to Ghana under reciprocal agreements.
For all passport types, visa-free travel applies to visitors from Barbados, Bahamas, Dominica, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Kenya, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Singapore, Sao Tome and Principe, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Rwanda, Morocco, Guyana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Malawi and Grenada.
For diplomatic, official or service passports, the Ministry confirmed that visa-free entry applies to citizens of Brazil, Colombia, China, Cuba, Germany, Sudan, Türkiye, Namibia, Hungary, Iran, India, Equatorial Guinea, St Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Venezuela, Malta and the United Arab Emirates.
The Ministry said these exemptions ‘remain applicable’ and advised delegates to confirm their passport category before travelling.
Deepening ties with the Diaspora
Government sources say the Summit will serve as a platform for renewed engagement with diaspora communities, echoing earlier national initiatives that sought to reconnect people of African descent with the continent. Officials believe that easing travel procedures, including the free visa offer, sends a strong message of openness and solidarity.
The Ministry’s notice framed the decision as part of Ghana’s wider mission to cultivate bonds that support shared progress. It stated that the Summit is intended to create space for ‘fostering cooperation and forging enduring partnerships’, noting that pan-African unity remains central to Ghana’s foreign policy outlook.
Online registration for the Diaspora Summit remains open through the event website. The Ministry reiterated that all participants must complete registration and secure their travel documentation before arriving in Ghana.
