Ghana News
‘I Am Ghanaian, But I Must Pay’: Diaspora Citizens Plead for Visa Fee Exemption
ACCRA – He praises Ghana’s new E-Visa system as innovative and progressive. Then he asks a pointed question: Why should someone with a Ghanaian birth certificate have to pay to visit their own homeland?
In an open letter to Ghana’s government, Ebenezer Amo-Adu Jr, a Ghanaian who identifies with the Accra ACA – 96 [Accra Academy School, 1996] cohort of graduates, has made a heartfelt plea for visa fee exemptions or steep discounts for Ghanaians who have been forced to acquire foreign citizenship due to immigration complexities, residency requirements, or life circumstances in their host countries.
“For many, this was not a preferred choice but rather a practical necessity,” Amo-Adu wrote in the letter, addressed to the Honourable Minister responsible for the newly launched E-Visa initiative.
The letter, which has begun circulating among Ghanaian diaspora communities online, strikes a delicate balance between admiration for government progress and a quiet but insistent demand for recognition of native ties.
‘Verifiable Native Ties’
Amo-Adu proposes a concrete solution: exempt individuals with verifiable native ties to Ghana from visa fees entirely, or grant them a 50 percent reduction. Eligibility, he suggests, could be established through documentation such as Ghanaian birth certificates, proof of family lineage, or other criteria determined by the ministry.
“Such a consideration would not only strengthen the bond between Ghana and its diaspora community but also encourage greater engagement, investment, and connection with our homeland,” he wrote.
The appeal comes just weeks after Ghana unveiled its E-Visa initiative, a digital platform designed to streamline entry for international visitors. The system has been widely praised by tourism operators and business groups as a long-overdue modernization.
But Amo-Adu’s letter exposes an unintended consequence: Ghanaians who hold foreign passports are now treated the same as any other tourist.
A Growing Global Dilemma
The issue is not unique to Ghana. Across Africa and the global south, countries with large diasporas are wrestling with how to treat citizens who have naturalized elsewhere. India offers Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards granting lifelong visa-free entry. Nigeria has introduced a diaspora ID card. Kenya allows dual citizenship for its emigrants.
Ghana, by contrast, has restrictive dual citizenship laws. Many Ghanaians who naturalize in countries like the United States, Canada, Germany, or the United Kingdom must formally renounce their Ghanaian citizenship. Once that happens, they become foreign nationals in the eyes of Ghanaian immigration law—required to apply for visas, pay fees, and face the same entry requirements as any other visitor.
“It is a source of pride for many Ghanaians abroad” to see the E-Visa system succeed, Amo-Adu wrote. But pride, he suggests, should not come with a price tag for those who never stopped feeling Ghanaian.
What the Government Hasn’t Said
The Ministry has not yet responded to the letter publicly. It is unclear whether any formal review of diaspora visa policies is underway or whether the E-Visa system includes any provisions for former citizens.
The letter does not specify the current cost of a Ghanaian visa, but standard tourist visas for Ghana typically range between $60 and $150 depending on nationality and processing time. A 50 percent discount would represent modest savings for an individual but significant goodwill for a government seeking diaspora investment.
Amo-Adu concludes his letter with congratulations to the minister on the E-Visa rollout and thanks for “continued efforts toward national progress.” But the underlying message is unmistakable: Progress, for the diaspora, means not having to pay to prove who you are.
‘Not a Preferred Choice’
For Ghanaians like Amo-Adu, the foreign passport in their pocket tells only part of the story. Their native language, family land, and cultural identity remain rooted in Ghana. The visa fee, they argue, is a bureaucratic penalty for a choice they never wanted to make.
“We are Ghanaian,” the letter implies, “even if our documents say otherwise.”
Whether the government agrees may determine not just visa policy, but the depth of Ghana’s connection to millions of its global citizens.
Ghana News
World Bank Approves $500 Million to Upgrade Ghana’s Rural Roads and Boost Agricultural Connectivity
The World Bank has approved a $500 million financing package to support the rehabilitation and maintenance of at least 1,000 kilometers of rural agricultural and market access roads across Ghana.
The Ghana Market Access and Connectivity Project (GMACP) aims to address long-standing challenges posed by poor road infrastructure in rural areas, which have limited farmers’ access to markets, increased transportation costs, and contributed to high post-harvest losses.
The project is expected to directly benefit over 550,000 people by improving connectivity, reducing travel times, and strengthening agricultural value chains.
World Bank Division Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Robert Taliercio, described the initiative as a major step toward enhancing rural livelihoods and economic resilience.
“This project will improve access to markets and opportunities for rural communities while strengthening Ghana’s agricultural competitiveness,” he said.
The project is also projected to generate more than 5,000 direct jobs and over 25,000 indirect jobs through construction and road maintenance activities.
The initiative, which will be implemented by Ghana’s Ministry of Roads and Highways, incorporates climate-resilient designs to ensure long-term durability of the roads and drainage systems.
Ghana News
Ghana Catholic Bishops Slam Aid Cut Threats Over New Anti-LGBTQ Bill, Impending Transport Fare Hikes, and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today
We have curated the most relevant and impactful stories from across Ghana today to keep you updated. Stay informed.
Catholic Bishops Tell Donors ‘Ghana Can Survive Without Your Aid’ Over Anti-LGBTQ Bill
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has issued a strong response to foreign threats of cutting aid following Parliament’s passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, stated that Ghana must be ready to forgo foreign assistance that comes with conditions conflicting with the nation’s values and sovereignty. The bishops emphasized that the country’s dignity and moral principles are non-negotiable. Read the full story here.
Government Debunks Fake Cambodia Deportation Notice
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed circulating notices claiming mass deportation of Ghanaians from Cambodia as fake. Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa assured citizens that the government is actively working with Cambodian authorities to ensure the safety and welfare of all Ghanaians in the country. He urged the public to disregard the misleading information and rely on official channels for updates. Read the full story here.
Transport Fares to Increase by 20% from June 2
Commuters across Ghana will face a 20% increase in transport fares effective Tuesday, June 2, 2026, following an announcement by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and allied operators. The increment, driven by rising fuel prices and spare parts costs, affects trotros, taxis, and inter-city services. Operators appealed for public understanding while calling on the government to address underlying economic pressures. Read the full story here.
Pregnant Woman and Son Return to Ghana After US Detention
A pregnant Ghanaian woman, Anabella Gyasi, and her 4-year-old son have returned home after being detained for over a week at Washington Dulles International Airport. The pair were held in a windowless room following their arrival on tourist visas. A U.S. federal judge ordered their release, allowing them to fly back to Ghana. The case has drawn attention to immigration procedures and conditions at U.S. airports. Read the full story here.
Third Ghanaian Pilgrim Dies During 2026 Hajj
The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has announced the death of a third Ghanaian pilgrim, Hajia Kubura Salifu, during the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The 52-year-old passed away in Mina after completing the Arafat ritual. She has been buried according to Islamic rites, and her family has been informed. PAOG extended condolences and noted the spiritual significance of passing during Hajj. Read the full story here.
Independence Square to Host Farewell for Late Apostle Kwadwo Safo
The family of the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo has announced revised funeral arrangements, including a grand national farewell ceremony at Independence Square in Accra on July 31, 2026. The burial service will take place at Gomoa Mpota on July 30. The changes were made after consultations with the Asantehene, church leaders, and family members abroad to allow adequate time for international travel. Read the full story here.
Ghana Expects No More IMF Bailouts – Finance Minister
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson has stated that Ghana does not anticipate seeking another IMF bailout in the foreseeable future. He emphasized that the country is shifting from an emergency support recipient to an equal policy partner with the Fund. The minister quoted President John Dramani Mahama’s vision that the current programme should be Ghana’s last IMF engagement. Read the full story here.
Ghana News
Ghana Passes Controversial Anti-LGBTQ Bill Amid Dispute Over Media, Professional Exemptions
Ghana’s Parliament has passed the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill, after months of intense national debate and international scrutiny.
The legislation, sponsored by a group of bipartisan lawmakers, seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities, advocacy and the promotion of what it describes as non-conventional sexual relations and family values.
However, even as the bill cleared its second reading on Thursday, a heated fight has erupted between co-sponsors and other lawmakers over proposed clauses that would exempt journalists, media houses, and certain professionals from the bill’s sanctions.
The disputed clauses would allow journalists and media houses to report on LGBTQ-related news or current affairs in the normal course of their work, as well as permit medical, surgical, psychological, or counselling professionals to offer services to LGBTQ individuals without penalty.
The Member of Parliament for Assin South and co-sponsor of the bill, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, together with the MP for Bosome-Freho, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, are leading the fight against these exemptions. They argue that the proposed changes are “totally unacceptable” and would be used as a pretext to promote LGBTQ activities. The dispute has created an unusual split, with Minority side MPs joining Fordjour in opposing clauses that some had assumed would be widely supported.
Deep divisions mark legislative milestone
The bill’s passage represents one of the most divisive legislative moments in Ghana’s recent democratic history, drawing strong support from conservative and religious groups while facing sharp criticism from human rights organisations and sections of the international community. Among other provisions, the bill proposes penalties for individuals who engage in same-sex relations, as well as sanctions against persons or organisations accused of promoting, funding or advocating LGBTQ+ activities.
Supporters of the legislation argue that it is necessary to preserve Ghanaian cultural, religious and family values. Several religious bodies and traditional leaders have publicly backed the bill during parliamentary deliberations, insisting that the legislation reflects the moral beliefs of the majority of Ghanaians. Critics, however, warn that the law could undermine constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, association and protection from discrimination.
Long and contentious journey to passage
The bill, formally titled the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, was originally introduced in June 2021 by a bipartisan group of Members of Parliament led by Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George. It underwent its first reading in August 2021 and was subsequently referred to Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee for scrutiny.
Between 2021 and 2022, the committee held extensive public hearings involving religious bodies, traditional authorities, legal experts, civil society organisations and human rights groups. Those hearings sparked widespread public debate, with supporters arguing the bill was necessary to protect Ghanaian cultural and family values, while opponents described it as unconstitutional and discriminatory.
As the bill now moves toward final passage, the unresolved dispute over exemptions for journalists, lawyers, and medical professionals threatens to delay its progress. The outcome of that fight will determine not only the scope of the law but also whether Ghana’s media and healthcare workers can continue to serve all citizens without fear of prosecution.
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