By : Lloyd Mahachi
Ghana has taken a significant step towards promoting pan-African values and economic cooperation. The country is now offering visa-free travel to all African passport holders. This move was announced by outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo in his final state-of-the-nation address.
Akufo-Addo expressed his pride in approving this policy. He stated that the visa-free travel policy took effect at the beginning of this year. This makes Ghana the fifth African country to offer this privilege to travelers from the rest of the continent.
Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin are the other African countries that offer visa-free travel to African citizens. This move is seen as a vital step towards promoting economic cooperation and unity among African nations.
Akufo-Addo emphasized that this policy is the logical next step to the African Continental Free Trade Area. This aims to establish a unified market across the continent. The policy is expected to facilitate the movement of goods and services across the continent.
Ghana has been promoting itself as a destination for people from the continent and the African diaspora to visit. In 2019, Akufo-Addo launched the Year of Return, an initiative to encourage those with African roots to invest in the country.
This move has been successful in attracting tourists and investors to Ghana. The visa-free travel policy is expected to further boost tourism and economic growth. The policy is also expected to facilitate the movement of goods and services across the continent.
Akufo-Addo stressed the importance of unrestricted mobility of individuals, goods, and services. This facilitates trade and economic progress in Africa. By offering visa-free travel to African citizens, Ghana is taking a significant step towards promoting economic cooperation and unity among African nations.
In his last state-of-the-nation speech, Akufo-Addo reviewed his two terms in power. He highlighted the country’s economic growth. Despite overseeing tough economic times for most Ghanaians, he said that growth has returned to the pre-Covid trajectory.
Akufo-Addo leaves behind a country that is thriving. His successor, John Mahama, is due to be sworn in on Tuesday. It remains to be seen how he will build on the progress made by his predecessor.
Ghana’s visa-free travel policy is a significant move towards promoting pan-African values and economic cooperation. By offering visa-free travel to African citizens, Ghana is taking a leading role in promoting unity and economic growth among African nations.
As the continent continues to grow and develop, other countries will likely follow Ghana’s lead. They will offer similar privileges to African citizens, promoting economic cooperation and unity among African nations.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi
