By Hannah Dadzie
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that Ghana is set to secure additional visa waiver agreements in the coming months as part of efforts to elevate the global standing of the Ghanaian passport.
Addressing journalists after holding bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, today, February 12, 2026, the Minister described visa waiver deals as a top priority, hinting at imminent announcements beginning in March and continuing through April and May.
“You know that visa waiver agreements remain my priority as Foreign Minister. I expect more visa waiver agreements this year. Even within the month of March, you’ll be hearing some good news,” he stated.
The Minister expressed confidence that Ghana is on course to making its passport one of the most valued in Africa and globally. He commended Ghana’s diplomatic corps for what he described as “heavy lifting” in ongoing negotiations with partner countries.
Beyond expanded travel access, Mr. Ablakwa highlighted major upgrades to the Ghanaian passport, noting that it is now fully chip-embedded with advanced security features. According to him, analysts rank it among the most secure passports globally.
“It’s now probably the most secure in terms of the security features we have. It’s fully chip-embedded, and we are ahead of so many countries,” the Minister said.
He gave the assurance that the government has also strengthened measures to prevent fraudulent acquisition of Ghanaian passports, revealing that artificial intelligence tools and modern technology have been deployed to outpace criminal networks.
The Minister further underscored the government’s commitment to affordability, recalling the recent 30 percent reduction in passport fees. He emphasized that passports should not be treated as a luxury item.
“For Ghanaians to have passports, it is a right. Passports should not be a luxury. It’s our national pride. It’s our national identity,” he stressed.
On the multilateral front, Mr. Ablakwa described ongoing African Union deliberations as constructive, impactful, and substantive, revealing that Ghana’s draft United Nations resolution on the transatlantic slave trade has received endorsement at the ministerial level.
The resolution, to be tabled by President John Dramani Mahama on March 25, seeks global recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity. The Minister indicated that Heads of State are expected to formally endorse the draft.
He noted that the resolution has undergone broad consultations involving CEDAW, ECOSOC, the AU Committee of Experts, CARICOM, and other international stakeholders, ensuring collective ownership. President Mahama, designated by the African Union as champion on the issue, has had his mandate extended for a decade, positioning Ghana to lead advocacy efforts over the next ten years.
Following the AU meetings, President Mahama is expected to address the CARICOM Summit in St. Kitts and Nevis, further strengthening collaboration among people of African descent across the continent, the Caribbean, and the Americas.
Meanwhile, Ghana has been commended for what officials describe as diplomatic maturity after strategically withdrawing its bid for a seat on the AU Peace and Security Council to allow for a united ECOWAS front. The move, the Minister said, reinforces Ghana’s commitment to regional integration and pan-African unity, in line with the vision of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Mr. Ablakwa expressed optimism about Ghana’s growing influence on the continental and global stage.
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Source:
www.gbcghanaonline.com