Foreign Affairs Minister inspects 20+ visa centres, demands better conditions for Ghanaian applicants

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa toured over 20 embassies and visa centers in Accra to promote better conditions for Ghanaians seeking visas. The visit aimed to evaluate conditions at these facilities and have direct conversations with applicants about their experiences. Ablakwa emphasized that the findings from this inspection would guide his future discussions with Heads of Missions to enhance the handling of visa applications.

This initiative follows a similar outreach during his initial month in office, where Ablakwa encouraged diplomatic missions to safeguard the dignity and welfare of Ghanaian applicants, cut down long waiting times for appointments, and enhance arrangements for those awaiting visa service access. After the latest inspection, he acknowledged that some missions had made significant strides, but others required improvement in conditions for applicants.

Ablakwa posted on X, "I must acknowledge that substantial progress has been made by some missions; however, others must do more."

He reiterated that Ghana will not meddle in the sovereign decisions of foreign diplomatic missions regarding visa qualifications. "As I have always emphasised, it is the prerogative of diplomatic missions to determine who qualifies for their visas; I shall not interfere with that," he stated. Ablakwa clarified that while diplomatic missions have the authority to make visa decisions, they are also responsible for ensuring the application process occurs under conditions that respect applicants' rights.

The government aims to collaborate with diplomatic missions to achieve practical improvements in visa service conditions without interfering in their decision-making processes. Ablakwa is anticipated to continue discussions with Heads of Missions, sharing the insights from the inspection and working together to enhance the visa application experience for Ghanaians.