DON’T OVERSTAY YOUR VISAS – Mahama Urges Ghanaians After US Lifts Restrictions

Ghanaians traveling overseas have been urged by President John Mahama not to overstay their visas, as this could jeopardize prospects for others and perhaps undo recent diplomatic advances with the United States.

Addressing recently commissioned Ambassadors and High Commissioners at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, October 1, the President clarified that the United States’ decision to remove visa restrictions on Ghana was the result of high-level negotiations that depended on promises to address the issue of visa overstays.

“Many of you are aware that Ghana became the only country subject to U.S. visa restrictions to secure a complete reversal from the Trump administration.

“One of the key points in our negotiation with the U.S. authorities was our agreement to address the issue of overstayers who travel on student visas and others who travel as part of official government delegations,” President Mahama said.

He warned applicants that overstaying has an impact on the entire Ghanaian tourism community, not just on individuals.

“Those of you applying for visas, please, when you go, come back, because you affect everybody else,” he urged.

President Mahama further clarified that “There was no financial consideration as part of the understanding between Ghana and the United States.”

His remarks follow the United States’ reversal of Ghana’s prior visa restrictions.

Ghanaians are eligible for five-year multiple-entry visas and other improved consular privileges, according to a statement released by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

In July of this year, the United States restricted travelers from Ghana and a number of other nations to three-month, single-entry visas.

In Ghana’s case, the policy was justified by what US authorities said were high rates of visa overstays, particularly among students.