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Tag: Foreign Affairs Minister

  • Expect more visa waiver agreements in March, April, May 2026 – Foreign Affairs Minister assures Ghanaian Passport holders

    Expect more visa waiver agreements in March, April, May 2026 – Foreign Affairs Minister assures Ghanaian Passport holders

    Holders of the Ghanaian passport have been assured of additional visa waiver agreements expected to take effect between March and May 2026, a move aimed at expanding international travel opportunities for citizens.

    The assurance was given by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, after signing a visa-free travel agreement with Zambia weeks ago, on the sidelines of the ongoing AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 12.

    “Expect more visa waiver agreements this year. Even within the month of March, you’ll be hearing some good news. April, some good news. May, there’ll be some good news. Expect more,” he told journalists.

    The travel arrangements cover a combination of full visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival access, and electronic visa (E-visa) options.

    Countries offering visa-free access include Bahamas – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Bangladesh – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Barbados – 180 days visa-free stay allowed, Belize, Benin – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, British Virgin Islands, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia – 30 days, Cape Verde Islands – 90 days visa-free stay allowed (Requirement to register online 5 days before arrival), Cook Islands, Cote d’Ivoire – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Dominica – 180 days visa-free stay allowed, eSwatini – 30 days visa-free stay allowed, Fiji – 4 months visa-free stay allowed, Grenada – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Guinea – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Guinea-Bissau – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Guyana – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Haiti – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Jamaica – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Kenya – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Kiribati – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Liberia, Malawi – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Maldives – Free VOA, Mali, Mauritius – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Micronesia – 30 days visa-free stay allowed, Niger, Nigeria, Palau Islands – Free VOA, Philippines – 30 days visa-free stay allowed, Rwanda – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Samoa – 60 days visa-free stay allowed, Senegal – 90 days visa-free stay allowed.

    Other destinations providing similar travel privileges include South Africa – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Tanzania – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Uganda – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Vanuatu – 120 days visa-free stay allowed, Zimbabwe – 90 days visa-free stay allowed, Zambia – Visa On Arrival, Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Iran, Jordan, Macao (SAR China), Maldives, Namibia, Nicaragua, Palau Islands, Samoa, Somalia, St. Lucia, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu – E-Visa, Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Botswana, Bolivia, Cameroon, Colombia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mauritania, Moldova, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, São Tomé and Príncipe, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

    Mr Ablakwa stressed that the government is determined to enhance the global standing of the national travel document.

    “We want the Ghanaian passport to be the most valued passport in Africa and one of the most valued anywhere in the world. And we are on course. We are very much on course,” he stated.

    He praised officials of the Foreign Affairs Ministry for their role in advancing negotiations and urged them to sustain their efforts.

    “I’m excited about the progress we are making, and I want to congratulate the team of diplomats I work with who are helping me in the negotiations and who are in the advance team doing a lot of heavy lifting as we negotiate with all of these countries. And I’m really excited about what we are achieving with visa waivers since I became foreign minister,” he noted.

    The Minister also highlighted improvements in the security features of Ghana’s new passport.

    “Remember that the passport itself, many people do not know that it is now probably the most secure in terms of the security features we have. It’s now fully chip-embedded, no longer biometric, and we are ahead of so many countries,” Mr Ablakwa stressed.

    Visa waiver arrangements allow citizens to enter participating countries without undergoing the often lengthy and expensive process of applying for a visa before travel.

    For businesses in Ghana, the policy is expected to simplify entry into foreign markets and strengthen cross-border trade. The tourism sector is also anticipated to benefit, as reciprocal visa arrangements could attract more visitors into the country, supporting growth in hospitality, aviation, and related industries.

    Ghana and Zambia no longer require visas for travel between the two countries following a historic visa waiver agreement .

    The move, announced by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, during President John Dramani Mahama’s three-day state visit to Zambia, is aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people relations between the two African countries.

    Narrating the events that preceded the agreement, Mr Ablakwa explained that he was in contact with the Chief Director, who was chairing a technical committee meeting.

    He reminded her of the presidential directive, but there was initially some confusion because Ghana has three types of passports, diplomatic, service, and ordinary—while they only had two, Diplomatic and then the ordinary passport.

    Ablakwa said he stressed that the directive came from the president, leaving the Zambian government with no choice but to agree to the deal.

    “If you want our president to be here and you want his wishes to be granted, then you have to make sure that we reach this deal. And at 11: 30pm last night, they reached out to their president, and he said if it is my brother’s wish, I am going to grant you. So we have the visa-waver agreement,” Ablakwa announced.

    Adding that, “this will bring the number to fifteen visa waiver agreements since President Mahama was sworn into office.”

  • More than 161k passports printed, 122k delivered so far – Ablakwa

    More than 161k passports printed, 122k delivered so far – Ablakwa

    Over 161,824 chip-embedded passports have been printed since the introduction of the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s new system, the sector minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed.


    Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, September 15, Mr. Ablakwa indicated that as of September 10, the Ministry had delivered 122,895 of these to applicants.


    “These passports incorporate over 175 advanced security features, compared to 32 in the previous version, and fully meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. This has greatly enhanced the global credibility and security of Ghanaian travel documents,” he added.

    He noted that the new development marks significant progress in the country’s passport reform agenda. The reform initiatives surrounding the new passports also include 24-hour operations, e-tracking, and reduced application fees, all aimed at improving the overall experience for applicants.


    The ministry has emphasized that the passport overhaul is an integral component of a comprehensive initiative aimed at modernizing the system, eliminating intermediaries, and ensuring a more transparent and user-centric application process.


    In addition, the rollout will include several reforms throughout 2025, such as 24/7 passport processing, courier delivery to both home and office addresses, electronic application tracking, and a 30% reduction in processing fees.


    As an upgrade to the current biometric passport, the new chip-embedded passport also boasts an improved design that reflects Ghana’s rich cultural heritage. The passport design incorporates Adinkra symbols such as “Fawohodie” (Freedom and Independence) and “Funtunfunefu Denkyemfunefu” (Democracy and Cooperation).


    The new chip-embedded passport, which was rolled out on April 28, represents a major shift from the outgoing biometric system and brings Ghana in line with international travel standards. The updated document contains 175 security features and is embedded with nanotechnology to safeguard against fraud and damage.

    It also includes a compressed polymer-based biographical data page, which users are advised to handle carefully. Ghanaians still holding valid biometric passports can continue using them until 2030 in line with regulations set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), though they may opt to upgrade to the new version at any time.


    Biometric Travel Solutions spearheaded the development of the new passport platform, with Troskit and Ghana Post leading courier services under a 24-hour operational model. In May, the minister announced that a total of 31,935 passports had been printed.

    As of the time, a total of 8,463 Ghanaians had received their new chip-embedded passports across the country. During that period, Mr Ablakwa saw to the first round of delivery of Ghana’s new chip-embedded passport. The minister joined Ghana Post on 9th May to personally hand over passports to clients at the addresses they provided.


    Applicants facing address challenges will be able to retrieve their passports from designated Ghana Post offices at no extra cost. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured that Ghana Post will continue to ensure the timely delivery of passports across the country. Delivery packages have been designed with tamper-evident sealing to guarantee document integrity.


    Meanwhile, Director of the Accra Passport Office, Felix Nyarku, has expressed concerns over the inconsistencies in applicants’ identification documents, highlighting mismatches between names on Ghana Cards and birth certificates.


    During a visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs last week, Mr Nyarku noted that this often delays the processing of chip-embedded passports.

    What not to do


    The new passport contains a biographical data-page composed of layers of polymer compressed into a solid substrate that must not be bent or kept in the pocket, especially the back pockets.
    It must be protected from heat and all forms of liquid.

    Holders are advised not to store other cards with chips embedded in them inside the passport, as it may interfere with encoded information on the RFID. inside the passport.
    Avoid attempting to split the biographical data page. This will permanently damage the passport.

    Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has debunked reports that it is responsible for the United States government’s revision of the reciprocity schedule for a considerable number of African countries, including Ghana, reducing the B1/B2 visa validity from 5 years multiple entry to 3 months single entry.

    Ghanaian visa applicants can no longer access the 5-year visa and multiple-entry.

    It was reported that the Foreign Ministry had also limited the number of entries and duration given to US passport holders, hence the reciprocity by the US government.

    However, in a statement, the Ministry refuted this claim, noting that consistent with bilateral arrangements, US passport holders are entitled to a maximum visa validity of five years, and in most instances, five-year multiple-entry visas are issued upon request.

    “Some applicants, however, apply for single-entry visas owing largely to limited validity of their passports,” the statement read.

    Besides the maximum five-year multiple visas, Ghana also issues multiple-entry 6-month, one-year, two-year, three-year, and four-year visas based on various considerations.

    From January 2025 to date, 40,648 visas have been issued by Ghana’s missions in Washington, D.C., and New York. Out of this, 28,626 are multiple-entry visas to Ghana.

    The statement further indicated that “The official statistics clearly demonstrate that contrary to false narratives, Ghana has issued, on average, an impressive 70.42% of multiple long-term visas to US passport holders, consistent with our bilateral arrangements.”

    The Foreign Ministry noted that the present limitations imposed by the United States vary substantially from the prior reciprocal arrangements that Ghana has kept with the United States.

    The US’ decision has sparked concerns, and the Ministry has acknowledged the legitimate concerns of Ghanaian travellers to the United States for professional, business, educational, touristic, medical and family purposes inconvenienced.

    The Ministry has expressed its firm solidarity with all thoseGhana recognizes the sovereign right of every country to determine its visa regime.

    While the Government of Ghana studies the current developments more closely and considers its options, it remains committed to working expeditiously with its longstanding partner, the US Government.

    “We hope for an early resolution of the concerns that have led to the revision of the schedule which have been confirmed to be overstays, including by ensuring that the conduct of applicants align with the visa application procedures and requirements of the United States,” the statement added.

    Government has stated that it will, at its highest levels, sustain best efforts in strengthening relations with the United States in a manner that further enhances people-to-people relations in the mutual interest of both countries.

    The updated guidelines, published under the U.S. Visa, reveal that Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country for Ghana also affect student visa applicants.

    F-1 visa holders, who are typically enrolled in full-time academic programmes in the U.S., will now be issued visas that allow for only one entry and expire after three months.

    Diplomats and government officials will, however, continue to receive multiple-entry visas with validity ranging from 24 to 60 months.

    The K1 visa, issued to the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a US citizen intending to marry within 90 days of arrival in the United States, and the K2 visa, provided to the unmarried dependent child (under 21 years old) of a K1 visa holder, are single-entry visas that will be valid for 6 months.

    The K3 visa, for the foreign-citizen spouse of a US citizen, and the K4 visa, for their unmarried dependent child (under 21 years old), are multiple-entry visas that will be valid for 24 months.

    All other visa applicants, including those applying for B-class visas, which cover business and tourism travel, will now be issued single-entry visas valid for just three months.

  • Govt not targeting Nigerians for deportation – Foreign Affairs Minister

    Govt not targeting Nigerians for deportation – Foreign Affairs Minister


    Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has clarified that the government of Ghana has no intentions of deporting law-abiding Nigerians living in Ghana back to their home country.

    His clarification follows a tension and criticism sparked by a resurfaced video involving Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, a Nigerian said to be parading himself as King of the Igbos in Ghana, who expressed a desire to establish a 50-acre Igbo village.

    Speaking at a meeting with a Nigerian delegation led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Okujwu, on July 30, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa called for calm while emphasizing that Ghana and Nigeria have since maintained a long-lasting relationship built on mutual respect, cooperation, and shared interests.

    “As we have agreed, the video that went viral, which incensed Ghanaians legitimately—we were all outraged when we saw that video. That video has been condemned by our counterparts from Nigeria. They have reprimanded the gentleman. He has been asked not to engage in such statements and such commentary,” he said.

    Mr Ablakwa added that, “I had met him earlier, and he was very contrite in the meeting, he has apologized. He’s issued a public statement apologizing to President Mahama, to the government and people of Ghana. Fellow Ghanaians, let’s also remember that Nigeria is one of the places where we have a lot of Ghanaians living in that country. A lot of Ghanaians. Our consular department tells us that not less than 500,000 Ghanaians are living in Nigeria. So, there is always the potential of reprisal attacks.”

    The sector minister stated that the government of Ghana will continue to ensure that the country is peaceful and further urged all nationals and non-nationals to be law-abiding. He added that the establishment of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) should enable Africans to work together, create more employment, and transform the continent.

    In her remarks, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Okujwu, commended Ghana for the role it continues to play in the sub-region and on the continent and further acknowledged the vital role Ghana and Nigeria continue to play in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).  

    Commenting on the viral video that caused tensions, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Okujwu condemned the incendiary comments and urged nationals of her country to avoid comments that have the potential of causing tension. She commended the President of Ghana and the traditional authorities for their commitment to peace, continued coexistence between Nigerians and Ghanaians, and the strengthening of relations between the two countries.

    She also recalled the historical ties between the two countries and called for the reactivation of the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) to further deepen the relations between the two countries.

    Mid-July, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa informed the public that there is no cause for alarm over the reported plan for the creation of a 50-acre Igbo village in Old Ningo after the video in question left the X platform in a frenzy, with some Ghanaians slamming past governments for allowing a Nigerian to earn such vast land in a foreign land and Nigerians cautioning against allowing ‘Igbos’ to establish such a community in Ghana.

    On the matter, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, stated that “no ‘king’ has any kingdom or land in the Ningo-Prampram Constituency.” “Disregard any such claims. The ancient Great Ningo kingdom is welcoming to all who visit us, but none are welcome to lay claim to a kingdom here. Rest assured, we are a hospitable people, but our hospitality cannot be taken for granted. Let calm prevail,” he assured.

    The controversy prompted Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa to engage Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu at his office in Accra on Wednesday, July 16. Following the meeting, the sector minister clarified that the recently surfaced video is actually an old video dating as far back as 2013. 

    According to Mr Abkakwa, Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu has “long abandoned” the idea of creating an Igbo Village in the country, which he deeply regrets, “and has not purchased any piece of land for that purpose.” Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu apologised to President John Dramani Mahama, the government, chiefs, and people of Ghana for the “unfortunate agitations his rather ill-advised interview has created.”

    Consequently, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa called for restraint while highlighting “the inseparable bond of friendship and brotherhood between Ghana and Nigeria.” The Foreign Minister has emphasised that despite Ghana’s friendly foreign policy, particularly a commitment to promote the Pan-African identity, it expects an adherence to the country’s cultural norms and laws.

    He cautioned all foreign nationals to desist “from conduct or pronouncements considered unlawful, divisive, and incendiary even as they enjoy our famed hospitality.” “Ghana is exceptionally proud of its celebrated friendly foreign policy, which is welcoming to all to our beautiful and peaceful country, particularly Africans and people of African descent. We are determined to keep championing that Pan-African identity, for which we have attained global renown,” the minister added.

    On the matter, the Ga Traditional Council dissociated itself from all activities related to Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu following a crunch meeting held by the council and headed by the president, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II—Ga Mantse. The Council, in a five-item statement dated July 9, stated that it has not conferred any kingship title on any individual, mandating him as King of Igbos in the Ga State.

  • First batch of Ghanaians in Iran have been evacuated to Turkey – Foreign Affairs Minister

    First batch of Ghanaians in Iran have been evacuated to Turkey – Foreign Affairs Minister

    Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that the first batch of Ghanaians in Iran have been evacuated to Turkey successfully.

    The minister made this known after he met H.E. Roey Gilad of Israel on Tuesday and H.E. Ali Ghomshi of Iran on Wednesday.

    Earlier this week, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the immediate evacuation of Ghanaians living in Iran amid the escalating conflict with Israel.

    According to Mr Ablakwa, the evacuation through land borders covers all Ghanaian diplomats, students, professionals, and other compatriots.

    Iran and Israel exchanged missiles during Saturday night and early on Sunday, marking the third consecutive day of attacks between the two countries after Israel initially attacked Iran on Friday morning.

    A major hospital in Israel’s south has sustained “extensive damage” from a wave of Iranian missiles, according to officials. Iran said it targeted a nearby technology park it claims was used by the Israeli military. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned his military will “strike all the nuclear facilities” in Iran, according to reports by CNN.

    In his recent post, the sector minister noted that “our fellow nationals living in Israel will be evacuated shortly.”

    Ghanaians in Israel have been advised to maintain close communication with the country’s consular department.

    Mr Ablakwa invited the ambassadors of Israel and Iran to his office for separate meetings.

    The meetings afforded him the opportunity to convey the Mahama Administration’s emergency evacuation strategy for Ghanaians living in their countries with the two ambassadors for onward communication to their governments to facilitate border access approvals.

    In the meeting with the Israeli Ambassador, the sector minister registered Ghana’s strong displeasure at H.E. Roey Gilad’s recent public pronouncements questioning Ghana’s voting pattern at international organizations.

    “I urged him to respect our sovereign right to make independent decisions based on our longstanding globally acclaimed foreign policy principles anchored on Ghana’s national interest as espoused by the 1992 Constitution, pacifist approach to peace building, non-alignment, respect for the UN Charter, adherence to the rule-based international order, belief in multilateralism and strict compliance with international law,” the minister said.

    “These cherished principles will continue to guide Ghana’s foreign policy imperatives within all international organizations, particularly at this defining moment when Ghana is serving on the UN Human Rights Council and chairing the governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency,” he added.

    Israel earlier urged Ghana to reconsider its neutral position after the country abstained from voting in support of or against charges brought against Iran for violating its nuclear non-proliferation obligations.

    The voting took place on Thursday, June 12, 2025, during a closed-door meeting of the 35-member Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which is currently being chaired by Ghana. The session was held at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

    The vote, which was the first of its kind in nearly 20 years, saw the 35-member IAEA Board formally declare that Iran is in breach of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations.

    The resolution was supported by 19 countries, opposed by three — Russia, China, and Burkina Faso — while 11 nations, including Ghana, abstained.

    The resolution, submitted by the United States, Britain, France and Germany, concluded that Iran had failed to provide the IAEA with full and timely cooperation since 2019 concerning undeclared nuclear material and activities.

    It marks a significant escalation in the agency’s standoff with Tehran.

    In what Israel describes as a friendly and respectful request, the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad during a media engagement in Accra, though acknowledging the legitimacy of Ghana’s abstinence due to its chairmanship position called on government to re-evaluate its longstanding non-aligned foreign policy position in critical global matters, particularly where international peace and security are concerned.

    Mr Ablakwa re-echoed Ghana’s demand for both countries to cease fire and opt for a peaceful diplomatic resolution of their concerns.

    Amid the conflict, the government has declared the immediate closure of the embassy in Tehran.

    In a post on Facebook, the sector minister noted that the decision has been taken to “guarantee the safety of our embassy staff.”

    The government has again instructed that embassy operations in Tel Aviv be reduced to the barest minimum.

  • No property in Benin will be sold under my watch – Foreign Affairs Minister

    No property in Benin will be sold under my watch – Foreign Affairs Minister

    Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has vowed to safeguard Ghana’s diplomatic assets in Benin, firmly stating that no government-owned property in the country will be sold under his tenure. His assurance comes amid efforts to restore and refurbish aging properties acquired by Ghana’s diplomatic mission.

    During a recent working visit to Cotonou, the capital of Benin, the Minister toured several state-owned facilities, some of which have been underutilized or left in disrepair. Among the six properties owned by Ghana in Benin, only one remains abandoned—vacant since 2019 after a fire incident damaged its electrical systems.

    While acknowledging that most of the properties remain functional, Ablakwa raised alarms about structural challenges with a number of them. Due to these issues, he noted that some staff have had to seek expensive private accommodations, which burdens the mission’s budget.

    He pledged government commitment to addressing the situation. “Initiatives will be undertaken to renovate and, in some cases, reconstruct the properties due to concerns about structural integrity,” he said. “No property will be sold under my watch.”

    Ablakwa’s statement is consistent with his firm stance against the sale of diplomatic properties abroad. Speaking in Parliament, he disclosed that with the full support of President John Mahama, the current government had halted attempts to offload Ghanaian diplomatic assets in Nigeria and Zambia—moves he attributed to the previous Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration.

    “Yesterday, I informed Parliament that with the full backing of President Mahama, we have canceled two transactions initiated by the previous Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to sell Ghanaian diplomatic properties in Nigeria and Zambia,” the Minister declared.

    He also revealed that one of the halted transactions involved an unlawful partial payment. Authorities are now working to recover the funds and bring those responsible to justice.

    “Determined efforts are underway to retrieve an illegal part payment in one of the transactions. The masterminds, who are currently on the run, will surely be found and sanctioned,” he emphasized.

    Reassuring Ghanaians of his unwavering stance, Ablakwa added that there would be no sale of any diplomatic property, either in Ghana or among the country’s 71 foreign missions, under the current administration.

  • Parliament confirms Ablakwa as Foreign Affairs Minister despite Minority boycott

    Parliament confirms Ablakwa as Foreign Affairs Minister despite Minority boycott

    North Tongu MP and Foreign Affairs Minister nominee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been confirmed by a majority consensus in Parliament, following the Minority’s decision to abstain from the approval process.

    The Minority’s abstention was driven by concerns related to Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) and past controversies involving Ablakwa.

    Despite their absence, his nomination was passed through a voice vote supported by the Majority.

    In addition to Ablakwa, Parliament also approved Dr Rashid Pelpuo (MP for Wa), Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed (MP for Nanton), Samuel Nartey George (MP for Ningo-Prampram), Kofi Adams (MP for Buem), and Joseph Bukari Nikpe (MP for Saboba).

    These newly approved nominees are expected to be sworn into office by President John Mahama in the coming days.

    Their approval followed extensive debates and a thorough vetting process, reflecting Parliament’s dedication to holding executive appointments to high standards.

  • Your noise wouldn’t change new passport fees, it is here to stay – Dept Foreign Affairs Minister to Ablakwa

    Your noise wouldn’t change new passport fees, it is here to stay – Dept Foreign Affairs Minister to Ablakwa

    Despite facing criticism from the Ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong remains steadfast in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration’s decision not to reconsider the recently adjusted passport fees.

    In response to Ablakwa’s intention to push for a review of the fees upon the resumption of Parliament, Ampratwum-Sarpong reiterates the Ministry’s position, affirming that the revised fees will remain unchanged.

    “If he wants us to come to the committee, we will respect the committee, we will appear before the committee, we will repeat the reasons behind the request and the approval given by parliament for the passport fees,” he said in an April 3 interview with Joynews.

    “These figures with the support of the majority of Ghanaians have come to stay. There is nothing he can do about it. He can make his noise out there. If he wants to bring it to the committee, to Parliament, we will meet him on the floor of Parliament. We will discuss it, we will debate it, and at the end of the day, he will fall flat on his face,” the deputy minister stressed.

    He defended the fee hike, stating that the increased charges are essential for generating revenue to enhance service delivery at passport offices nationwide.

    “We would have money to be able to invest to buy the equipment, the printers, and whatever other stuff that we need to be able to give excellent service.

    “With the cash revenue flow, it will become possible for us to approach the suppliers of this equipment and materials and whatever that we need in our work.

    “So once we get more computers, once we get more laminating machines, once we get more capturing machines, we will be able to capture more biometrics and therefore the six months, seven months, or eight months appointment days would be reduced.

    “At the moment, it is out of control because we don’t have the capturing machines. We do have some but it is not enough,” he added.

    Starting from April 1, there has been an increase in passport application fees, with the cost rising from GH¢100 to ¢500 for the 32-page booklet and to ¢644 for the 48-page booklet under the standard service.

    In response to public discontent regarding the heightened prices, Samuel Okudzeto, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has proposed a review of the fees. He argues that these elevated costs only exacerbate the already heavy financial burdens faced by Ghanaians.

    “It is a matter we will revisit. We will summon the Ministers and officials from the Ministry to see what can be done because this is really terrible. It is going to add on to the already excruciating hardship and anguish that Ghanaians are going through,” he said.

  • Boosting free-trade agreement among Commonwealth countries my priority – Foreign Affairs Minister

    Boosting free-trade agreement among Commonwealth countries my priority – Foreign Affairs Minister

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has committed to revitalizing the Free-trade Agreement among Commonwealth nations if elected as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

    She emphasized that a successful free-trade agreement would foster integration, global and regional supply chain participation, and enhance engagement in the multilateral trading system for member states.

    Speaking in Accra at a lecture titled “A Vision for a New Commonwealth in a Fast-Evolving World,” organized by the Council on Foreign Relations Ghana, Madam Botchwey proposed that the initiative could serve as a model for WTO members, offering a balanced approach to regional and multilateral trade integration.

    Nominated by President Akufo-Addo on February 2, 2024, for the post of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Madam Botchwey outlined the evolving global landscape, citing advanced negotiations between the United Kingdom and India, as well as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as opportunities to consolidate agreements towards a Commonwealth-wide free trade agreement.

    “To be transformative, any such trade and development agreement has to respond to the development needs and challenges of the developing countries in the Commonwealth,” she said.

    She stressed the importance of any trade and development agreement addressing the needs of developing countries within the Commonwealth.

    Madam Botchwey called for increased aid for trade disbursements to boost productive capacity, encouraging developed members to invest in developing states, with specific consideration for the Pacific Island States, the Caribbean, and small states in both service and non-service sectors.

    “Developed Commonwealth members and other donor partners should maintain and enhance non-reciprocal preferential market access mechanisms like duty-free, quota-free, flexible rules of origin, and preferential treatment for services and service suppliers from small developing states to facilitate their integration in regional and global value chains,” she said.

    Madam Botchwey urged developed Commonwealth members to maintain and enhance preferential market access mechanisms for small developing states.

    She emphasized the Commonwealth’s role in supporting the specific needs of small island states in fishery subsidy negotiations at the WTO, highlighting the critical role of ocean sustainability for their development.

    “The Commonwealth should support the specific needs and concerns of small island states in fishery subsidy negotiations at the WTO.”

    “Ocean sustainability in general and sustainable fishing stocks and practices are critical to the development of the ocean economy in island states and especially to the millions of mostly poor people who make their living by fishing.”

    Additionally, she underscored the significance of services like health insurance, medical data, and banking in fostering integration and creating economic prosperity within the Commonwealth.

    The Commonwealth, consisting of 56 nations, focuses on shared goals of prosperity, democracy, and peace, with the Commonwealth Secretariat coordinating much of its work.

    Objectives include environmental protection, sustainable resource use, economic development, democracy support, and assistance to small states in addressing unique challenges.

  • Foreign Affairs Minister sacks overstayed workers at Passport Office

    Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has dismissed a number of employees at the Passport Office who have stayed for more than a year.

    Engaging the media on Monday, August 14, the Foreign Minister noted that the agency under her ministry has been cautioned against keeping staff for more than a year.

    “This is not something that is new. We have always said no agency should keep their staff here for more than a year and yet this is overlooked sometimes.

    “So I intend to ensure this is carried out to the letter,” she stated.

    Meanwhile, the sector minister has noted that her outfit is set out to capture intermediaries who charge unsuspecting Ghanaians exorbitant fees to get them their passports.

    Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey noted that such individuals, popularly known as ‘gorro boys‘ operate with workers within the Passport Office.

    “Just two days ago, the report in Daily Guide that the issue of gorro people involved in our passport acquisition process has become ripe. It is wrong.

    How can GHS100 for Standard Service to a passport and GH150 or expedited service be bumped up to GH2000 and GHS3000. It is wrong.

    The gorro person is outside the passport office. They need somebody inside to work with. They cannot do it on their own,” she said.

    According to the minister, the Foreign Ministry has some leads and will at the appropriate time provide its findings.

  • Explore investment opportunities in Ghana – Foreign Minister to Italy

    Explore investment opportunities in Ghana – Foreign Minister to Italy

    The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey on Monday held bilateral talks with her Latvian counterpart H.E. Edgars Rinkvis at the Ministry.

    The meeting focused on deepening cooperation between the two countries. A business forum was also organised as part of the activities for the official Visit.

    Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, on her part, encouraged the Latvian business delegation to explore investment opportunities in Ghana and forge partnerships with their Ghanaian counterparts for accelerated economic trade relations, leveraging on the reach of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which offers a single continental market for goods and services.

    In response, H.E. Mr. Edgars Rink expressed his Government’s readiness to deepen economic relations in areas of education, technology, security, food security, and agriculture.

    He announced that despite the recent global challenges, there was a marked 25% growth in Ghana-Latvia trade relations in 2020 and hoped that the scope of cooperation could be further expanded.

    The two Foreign Ministers recalled high-level visits exchanged between the two countries and looked forward to enhancing fruitful relations on issues of mutual interest in the areas of Information Communication and Technology (ICT), education, health, security, food security, and agriculture among others for the benefit of the two countries.

    The visit by H.E. Mr. Edgars is a follow-up to Ghana’s Foreign Minister’s visit to Latvia in 2018 which rekindled economic relations between the two countries.

    On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), Amb. Mike Oquaye Jnr, encouraged the business delegation to explore investment opportunities in the Ghana Free Zones enclaves such as business process outsourcing, call centers, hardware, ICT infrastructure development, data processing, software development, research and development, and incubation centers.

    The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC), Mr. Yaw Amoateng Afriyie also urged the Latvian business delegation to recognise Ghana as an essential commercial partner, a country that offers opportunities as well as a conducive investment climate for investors in the sub-region.

  • Ghana sets the bar for women in foreign policy and diplomacy- Research

    Ghana sets the bar for women in foreign policy and diplomacy- Research

    In a briefing session held to mark International Women’s Day 2023, researchers from the Institute of International Affairs in Ghana, Miss Elizabeth Dela Tsidi and Mr Charles Ansre, commended Ghana for its continued efforts to promote female leadership in diplomacy and foreign policy within the Economic Community for West Africa States (ECOWAS).

    The researchers highlighted how Ghana had led the sub-region in assuring women of opportunities in leadership, with many female Ghanaian diplomats taking on roles of diplomacy and development that positively position the country in the world of foreign policy.

    The report mentioned notable women, including Hannah Tetteh, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Martha Pobee, Anita Kiki Gbeho, Dr. Victoria Kwakwa, and Gertrude Oforiwaa Fefoame, who are delivering impact at senior levels with the IMF, World Bank, and the UN.

    Ms Tsidi said, “The most obvious example of course is the fact that over the last 10 years, women have led the diplomatic and foreign affairs efforts of the government of Ghana. This began with Hon. Hannah Serwaa Tetteh and has continued with Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and both women have excelled in their roles. For instance, under Hon. Botchwey as Foreign Affairs Minister, Ghana successfully negotiated the siting of the AFCFTA headquarters in Accra. It is also during her tenure that Ghana is serving on the UN Security Council as a non-permanent representative. Our record compares favourably in other developed countries including Australia, which has also had women at the helm of the foreign ministers since 2015.”

    However, the researchers also noted that women continue to be underrepresented in ambassadorial positions globally.

    The Institute however bemoaned that women continue to be underrepresented in ambassadorial positions around the world. Mr. Charles Ansre, a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute indicated that according to sources including the Diplomatic Academy, the percentage of women ambassadors from the 40 largest economies in the world and the European Union for the year 2022 was 21.6 %. In 2023, the proportion of women ambassadors and permanent representatives of the 193 United Nations (UN) member states as of February 31, was 20.54%. The average proportion of women ambassadors and permanent representatives was reported as 18% for the African Continent. Ghana leads the African continent with 49.5% of Her ambassadors being women, followed by South Africa with 39%. Globally, Ghana is ranked 4th in the percentage of women ambassadors in 2023.”

    Mr. Ansre said the recognition and celebration of female achievement in diplomacy and foreign policy provides a role-modelling effect for young ladies in Ghana and Africa. 

    He noted, “This is very important and the Institute is committed to highlighting success stories here, in line with its agenda of using role-modelling as an advocacy tool to get more and more ladies interested and applying to global careers.”

    The Institute plans to release the full report and statistics during its Women-in-Diplomacy Day commemorations on June 24, 2023.

  • ‘Every bomb, every bullet’ statement at UN – Ukraine thanks Akufo-Addo for support

    The Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, has expressed his country’s gratitude to Ghana for standing by them amid the Russian invasion that started in February this year.

    Kuleba arrived in Accra on Wednesday, October 6 and departed on the 7th, with Ghana being the third stop of his African tour. He had earlier been to Senegal and Ivory Coast.

    While in Ghana, he delivered a message from President Volodymyr Zelensky to his counterpart Akufo-Addo and also held talks with Foreign Affairs minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.

    It was during this meeting he revealed that Ukraine was grateful for Ghana’s support through the current crisis, citing specifically a statement at the 77th United Nations General Assembly in Akufo-Addo’s address in September.

    He said Akufo-Addo’s: “Every bullet and every bomb fired at Ukraine is felt in Africa,” statement was the clearest and the most eloquent statement, which reflected the global repercussions of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

    “We have to stop this war, we will be winning it, because we defend the right cause, the principle of sovereignty, the principle of territorial integrity of the nation,” he is quoted to have said in a Ghana News Agency report.

    Kuleba also disclosed that aside from boosting bilateral and especially trade relations between Accra and Kyiv, Ukraine would soon be opening a full diplomatic mission in Accra.

     

  • New Australia High Commissioner presents letters to Foreign Affairs Minister

    The High Commissioner-Designate of Australia to Ghana, Berenice Abigail Owen-Jones, presented her open letters to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, on Wednesday 20th July 2022.

    During the presentation, the High Commissioner-Designate highlighted the bonds of friendship and cooperation that exist between Ghana and Australia at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

    She indicated her intent to deepen the collaboration between both countries in the areas of trade, investment, counterterrorism, defence, and gender.

    She also commended Ghana for its successful tenure as Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    The Minister in her response recalled the strong bilateral relations that exist between the two countries.

    She also emphasized the importance of the Commonwealth of Nations, of which Ghana and Australia are members, in pursuing shared goals and addressing global problems.

    She expressed the hope that the tenure of the High Commissioner designate would be characterized by an increase in investments by Australian Businesses in Ghana.

    Source: Ghanaweb via classfmonline