Parliament Waives Visa Requirements to Four Countries

The Parliament of Ghana has adopted and approved ratification of agreements to waive visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, service, and ordinary passports to countries, namely Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, Colombia, and the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Presenting the reports on the floor of the House, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, noted that the objectives of the agreements seek to support multilateral partnership in key areas, including education, energy, promote trade, tourism, and agriculture.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, explained to the House that there are no immediate or direct revenue losses anticipated from the implementation of the Agreements.

However, he was of the view that the visa waiver arrangements would contribute to increasing trade, tourism, and other forms of bilateral cooperation, resulting in long-term socio-economic benefits to the countries involved.