Ghana could face visa restrictions from the United States following its inclusion on a State Department watchlist due to an elevated rate of student visa overstays, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
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Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, June 26, Ablakwa revealed that U.S. officials had formally notified the Ghanaian government of the issue, citing a 21% visa overstay rate among Ghanaian students, well above the U.S. government’s 15% threshold. “The issue has created considerable anxiety, and that report came to all of us as a surprise,” he said.
Diplomatic Engagement Underway
Ablakwa confirmed that Ghana had initiated diplomatic discussions with U.S. officials, emphasizing that the meetings were productive and focused solely on the overstay concern. “The U.S. authorities have now formally brought this to our attention, so it is no longer a leaked report,” he noted.
He was also quick to clarify that Ghana is not being grouped with countries flagged for serious security violations like terrorism or extremism.
Clarifying the Concerns
According to Ablakwa, the U.S. watchlist targets countries noncompliant with one or more of 12 risk indicators ranging from terrorism and human trafficking to visa violations. Ghana’s only cited issue was its high student visa overstay rate. “The U.S. officials have communicated that Ghana’s concern specifically relates to student visa overstays,” he stressed.
Data presented by the U.S. government showed that 21% of Ghanaian students on U.S. visas failed to return home after their academic programmes, violating U.S. immigration policy.
Assurances from Ghana’s Side
Despite the warning, Ablakwa urged calm, pointing out Ghana’s consistent cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities. “We’ve been notified of 188 Ghanaians on President Trump’s deportation list, and our embassies have been compliant,” he said.
He added that Ghana’s issue should not be equated with more severe cases involving state-sponsored threats, saying: “We take the view that this overstay issue, while serious, should not place us in the same category as countries sponsoring terrorism.”
Next Steps
The Ghanaian government is expected to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent the imposition of any visa-related penalties. Stakeholders fear that sanctions could affect educational opportunities, travel, and bilateral relations with the U.S.
