Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister-designate, James Gyakye Quayson, has vowed to champion reforms addressing the issue of nonrefundable visa fees if confirmed by Parliament.
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During his vetting before the Appointments Committee on Friday, Quayson criticized what he called the “exploitation” of Ghanaian and African applicants by embassies of advanced countries.
“Most of these so-called advanced countries are milking our people. About 95% of those whose visa applications are denied do not get their money back,” he stated.
Gyakye Quayson said he would collaborate with the substantive Foreign Affairs Minister to explore administrative policy reforms aimed at reversing the nonrefundable fee regime. He referenced countries like Nigeria where denied visa applicants receive refunds.
Highlighting the financial burden on Ghanaian youth, he noted:
“A visa application alone costs about $160. For many, that’s one or two months’ wages. We need to streamline this system to prevent embassies from generating revenue at the expense of our struggling youth.”
He argued that visa fees have become a significant source of income for some embassies, yet little is done to ensure fairness or reciprocity in the process.
“Foreign policy should prioritize the protection of our citizens. If approved, I’ll work to ensure policies that benefit Ghanaians at home and abroad,” he emphasized.
