President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized that the recent lifting of U.S. visa restrictions on Ghanaian nationals was secured solely through diplomatic negotiation, not through any financial settlement.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of Ghana’s new Ambassadors and High Commissioners on Wednesday, October 1, the President pointed out that Ghana was the only country to achieve a full reversal of the U.S. visa sanctions imposed during the Trump administration.
“Many of you are aware that Ghana became the only country subject to U.S. visa restrictions to secure a complete reversal from the Trump administration,” he stated.
“Let me state clearly that this outcome was negotiated in Ghana’s best interest… and let me also emphasise that there was no financial consideration as part of the understanding between Ghana and the United States.”
Mahama explained that the restrictions were originally tied to Ghanaians who overstayed their visas after traveling abroad.
“I mean, these are people who go and instead of coming back, they decide to stay. And so they [the U.S. authorities] have the record. So when they draw the threshold and you’re above it, then they cancel your five-year visas and bring you to B-5, B-3,” he said.
He cautioned Ghanaians applying for U.S. visas to respect the terms of their stay, stressing that violations affect everyone.
“So those of you applying for visas, please, when you go, come back, because you affect everybody else,” Mahama urged.
