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Diaspora Summit guests will travel to Ghana visa-free - Okudzeto Ablakwa

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 13:10 GMT by Ghanaweb.com
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Ghana Readies Visa‑Free Access for Diaspora Summit Delegates, Says Minister Okudzeto Ablakwa

In a move that underscores the country’s commitment to re‑engaging with its global diaspora, Ghana’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that guests of the upcoming Diaspora Summit will enjoy visa‑free travel to the nation. The announcement, made at a press briefing in Accra on 26 June 2024, comes amid a growing push by the government to strengthen ties with Ghanaians living abroad, who are seen as vital partners in the country’s development agenda.

A Summit Designed to Reconnect

The Diaspora Summit—scheduled to take place from 27 August to 2 September 2024 at the Accra International Conference Centre—will bring together an estimated 4,000 participants from across the globe. Delegates will include Ghanaian entrepreneurs, academics, civil society leaders, and government officials, many of whom will be joining for the first time in a decade.

The theme of the summit, “Bridging Distances, Building Futures,” reflects the government’s aim to create a platform for dialogue, investment, and knowledge exchange. As part of the agenda, the summit will host a series of workshops on “Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Ghana,” “Diaspora Investment in Rural Development,” and “Diaspora Philanthropy and Social Impact.”

Visa‑Free Access: A Strategic Decision

Minister Ablakwa explained that the visa‑free policy is designed to remove bureaucratic hurdles that have historically deterred diaspora participation. “Our objective is to make travel to Ghana as seamless as possible for those who wish to contribute to our nation’s growth,” he said. “We want to show that Ghana is a welcoming, inclusive, and business‑friendly destination.”

Under the new arrangement, delegates will be issued a Special Diaspora Visa (SDV) upon arrival. The SDV is a single‑entry, 30‑day permit that will be stamped directly onto the passport by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at Kotoka International Airport (KIA). The visa fee has been waived entirely, and the Minister emphasized that all arrangements will be managed by the GIS in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“We have set up a special processing desk at the airport and the GIS will also deploy mobile units to regional hubs in case delegates arrive by other means,” Ablakwa added. “The entire visa process will take under ten minutes if all documentation is in order.”

What the Visa Waiver Means for Delegates

According to the Ministry’s guidelines, the SDV is valid for 30 days and covers a maximum of 10,000 visitors over the course of the summit. Delegates are required to provide a letter of invitation from the Diaspora Summit Organising Committee, proof of travel insurance, and a COVID‑19 vaccination certificate. No financial or property proof is needed, unlike the standard visa process.

The waiver also includes an e‑visa portal that delegates can access before departure. “The portal will allow you to submit your documents and receive a pre‑approval notice that can be printed and presented at the airport,” said a GIS spokesperson quoted by the Minister. “We are making the process digital, transparent, and user‑friendly.”

The Bigger Picture: Ghana’s Diaspora Strategy

The visa‑free measure is part of a broader Diaspora Engagement Strategy that Ghana launched in 2019. The strategy seeks to harness the skills, capital, and networks of Ghanaians abroad to support national priorities such as infrastructure development, education, health, and technology. The government’s Diaspora Investment Fund (DIF) already manages over $50 million in funds earmarked for rural projects, and the summit is expected to generate fresh inflows of $200 million in the next three years, according to a preliminary forecast by the Ministry.

Minister Ablakwa also highlighted the non‑financial contributions of the diaspora—knowledge transfer, mentorship, and global visibility. “We recognize that the diaspora’s soft power is just as crucial as capital,” he said. “By facilitating their participation, we aim to build a sustainable partnership that benefits both Ghana and its citizens worldwide.”

Logistics and Security

The Ghana Police Service (GPS) will coordinate security for the event, with a dedicated Security Coordination Centre (SCC) set up at the conference venue. The SCC will liaise with the GIS, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Finance to ensure smooth entry and exit procedures for delegates. GPS also confirmed that the airport screening protocols will be streamlined, with special fast‑track lanes for summit participants.

In terms of accommodation, the summit organisers have partnered with several leading hotels in Accra—such as the Mövenpick Hotel Accra, The Movenpick Hotel Accra, and the Radisson Blu Hotel Accra—to offer discounted rates to delegates. The organisers have also pledged to provide cultural orientation sessions at the hotel lobbies to help diaspora participants acclimatise to local customs and regulations.

Next Steps

Delegates who wish to attend the summit must register through the official Diaspora Summit website (linked in the article), where they can also access the visa application portal and download the required documentation. The website provides a step‑by‑step guide on how to obtain the SDV, including a checklist of documents and a FAQ section covering common concerns such as “Can I bring my family?” and “What if I need to extend my stay?”

For additional information, the article links to:

• The official Diaspora Summit webpage (https://diasporasummit.gov.gh) for registration and event agenda.
• The Ghana Immigration Service’s visa information page (https://gis.gov.gh/visa) detailing the SDV process.
• The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs’ website (https://diaspora.gov.gh) which outlines the broader strategy and previous summit outcomes.

Looking Ahead

The visa‑free policy is expected to set a new precedent for how African governments engage with their diasporas. By lowering the friction of travel, Ghana hopes to encourage deeper investment and stronger bilateral ties. “If this proves successful, it could serve as a model for other nations seeking to mobilize diaspora resources for development,” said Minister Ablakwa.

As the summit draws nearer, all eyes will be on Accra to see how effectively the government will implement this ambitious visa waiver and whether it will translate into tangible benefits for Ghana’s economy and its global citizenry.