Parliament has ratified visa waiver agreements with four countries, paving the way for holders of diplomatic, service, and ordinary passports to travel visa-free between Ghana and Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Colombia, and the Commonwealth of Dominica.
The agreements, which were laid before the House by the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, were unanimously adopted following deliberations on their potential benefits to Ghana’s foreign relations and economic development.
Hon. Vanderpuije told the House that the visa waiver arrangements are aimed at strengthening multilateral partnerships in key sectors such as education, energy, trade, tourism, and agriculture. He noted that the move aligns with Ghana’s broader diplomatic efforts to foster international cooperation and mobility.
Contributing to the debate, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, assured Members of Parliament that the implementation of the agreements would not result in any immediate or direct revenue losses to the state.
He further explained that the visa-free travel framework is expected to boost trade, tourism, and other forms of bilateral cooperation, ultimately yielding long-term socio-economic gains for Ghana and its partner countries.
The ratification marks a significant step in Ghana’s commitment to deepening diplomatic ties and promoting regional integration through enhanced mobility and collaboration.
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