Ghana Spared in Latest U.S. Visa Restrictions, Says Foreign Minister Ablakwa

Ghana has been excluded from the most recent round of U.S. visa restrictions, according to an announcement by the country’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

The exemption comes as the United States, under President Donald Trump, moves to broaden its travel and immigration restrictions to cover an additional 20 countries and the Palestinian Authority, significantly expanding measures introduced earlier this year.

Speaking on Wednesday, December 17, during a farewell ceremony for Ghana Army Engineers departing for Jamaica to support post-disaster reconstruction efforts, Minister Ablakwa described Ghana’s exclusion as a reflection of the strong and cordial diplomatic ties between Accra and Washington.

He noted that while many countries in the sub-region were affected by the new restrictions, Ghana was once again spared. The minister also commended President John Dramani Mahama for his leadership in steering the country’s foreign policy and maintaining positive international relations.

The White House has stated that the expanded travel ban is intended to enhance U.S. national security and will take effect on January 1. Full entry bans have been imposed on nationals of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as individuals traveling on passports issued by the Palestinian Authority.

In addition, Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously subject to partial limitations, have now been placed under full restrictions. Partial visa controls have also been applied to 15 other countries, including Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

President Trump, who has tightened immigration policies since returning to office in January, said the expanded measures were necessary due to shortcomings in overseas screening and vetting processes. U.S. officials cited concerns such as high visa overstay rates, unreliable civil documentation systems, corruption, security risks, and insufficient cooperation from some countries in accepting deported nationals.

Ghana’s exemption, against this broader backdrop of tightening U.S. immigration controls, has been welcomed by government officials as further evidence of the enduring strength of bilateral relations between the two nations.