Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says the government is actively working to prevent Ghana from being affected by a potential US visa ban.
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Following a meeting with Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison M. Hooker and Ambassador Troy Fitrell at the US State Department on Monday, June 30, Ablakwa described the discussions as productive and focused on strengthening Ghana-US bilateral relations.
“President Mahama’s government is determined to take all necessary and strategic steps to ensure Ghana is not affected by the impending US visa ban,” Ablakwa stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“We expect a positive outcome for Ghana and stronger ties with the US. For God and Country.”
Why Ghana Was Flagged
The minister confirmed that Ghana has been flagged by US authorities as a potential target for visa restrictions. This follows a recent report by The Washington Post indicating that the Trump administration is considering adding Ghana and 35 other countries to a travel ban list.
According to Ablakwa, the primary reason cited is the high number of visa overstays, particularly among Ghanaian students. Data shared by US officials indicates that 21% of Ghanaian students who completed their studies overstayed their permitted duration, well above the 15% threshold set by US immigration authorities.
“They told us that a 15% overstay rate is the cut-off. Ghana stands at 21%, which places us in the danger zone,” Ablakwa explained during a press briefing on June 26.
He stressed that the US is not accusing Ghana of other serious concerns such as terrorism, harbouring criminals, or refusing deportations.
“Apart from the overstay issue, we have not been flagged for any of the other 12 risk criteria,” he added.
These criteria include links to terrorism, violent extremism, non-cooperation with US security efforts, and non-compliance with deportation procedures.
What’s Next
Ablakwa remains optimistic that Ghana can avoid inclusion on the list. He said ongoing engagements with US authorities have been constructive, and that the government is exploring ways to improve compliance and monitoring of overseas students.
The Foreign Ministry is expected to propose reforms and policy adjustments to address the issue, including better tracking of Ghanaian students and stricter return requirements after studies.
