High visa fees could undermine Ghana’s e‑Visa gains – Tourism analyst 

Ghana's newly launched electronic visa (e‑Visa) platform has the potential to significantly boost tourism, trade, and investment but the cost of visas for non-African travellers could undermine the country's competitiveness, Mr Emmanuel Frimpong, a tourism consultant and analyst, has said.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Frimpong, who is also the Founding President of the Africa Tourism Research Network (ARTN) and Co‑Founder of the Africa Medical Tourism Council (AMTC), described the introduction of the e‑Visa system as one of the most significant reforms in Ghana's tourism and immigration sectors.

He noted that the platform, launched by the Government on May 25, 2026, is expected to modernise visa processing, reduce bureaucratic delays, improve transparency, and strengthen border management, while positioning Ghana as a digitally progressive destination.

Mr. Frimpong explained that the initiative aligned with the objectives of the African Union's Agenda 2063, which sought to promote regional integration, tourism development, intra-African trade, and the free movement of people across the continent.

He emphasised that modern e‑Visa systems had become vital tools for attracting tourists and investors due to their speed, convenience, and accessibility.

Ghana's commitment to processing visa applications within 48 hours, he added, would enhance the visitor experience and make the country more appealing to both tourists and business travellers.

Mr. Frimpong commended the Government's decision to waive visa fees for African passport holders travelling to Ghana for tourism and business, describing it as a bold step toward promoting Pan‑Africanism and regional integration.

He said the policy could boost regional tourism, business travel, cultural exchange, student mobility, and investment flows.

“Africa continues to face challenges with intra‑African travel due to visa restrictions and high travel costs. Ghana's decision sends a strong message that Africans must travel, trade, and invest more within the continent,” he said.

Despite these positive reforms, Mr. Frimpong expressed concern over the reported US$260 service fee for visa applicants from outside Africa, warning that it could deter potential visitors.

He explained that tourism was highly competitive, with travellers often comparing destinations based on visa costs, airfares, accommodation rates, and overall convenience before making decisions.

“An expensive visa can discourage tourists before they even begin planning their trip,” he stated.

Mr. Frimpong pointed out that countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania offer tourist visas at significantly lower rates, making them more attractive to international travellers.

He cautioned that high visa fees could hinder Ghana's ambition to become a leading destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, as conference organisers typically consider visa accessibility when selecting host countries.

The economic benefits generated by visitor spending on hotels, transportation, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment far outweigh the revenue derived from visa fees, he noted.

Mr Frimpong, therefore, recommended that Ghana review and reduce visa fees for non-African travellers to more competitive levels, introduce tiered visa categories, and strengthen destination marketing efforts to complement the new e‑Visa system.

“Ghana's e‑Visa launch is historic and transformative. However, its long‑term success will depend not only on digital efficiency but also on a pricing strategy that encourages more visitors, investors, and conference delegates to choose Ghana,” he said.

GNA