Free Visa” for Africans? Not Really — Bosome Freho MP Sounds the Alarm

The buzz over Ghana’s new “free e-visa” policy for African travellers has hit a reality check. Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, MP for Bosome Freho, is calling it out, saying the scheme doesn’t truly eliminate visa barriers—it just makes them digital. The government recently announced that, starting May 25, 2026, African travellers can access Ghana through a fee-free electronic visa system, timed to mark Africa Day celebrations. On paper, it sounds like a win. But Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa clarified that the move isn’t a true visa-free entry: applicants still have to submit forms and pass screening before arrival. For Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, this distinction matters. He argues that calling it “free visa” is misleading because travellers are still forced through a formal digital application and approval process. “It’s not visa-free; it’s a pre-authorisation system that just doesn’t charge a fee,” he said in a Facebook post on April 3, 2026. The MP stressed that genuine visa-free travel should remove any prior application or approval, letting people move freely across borders. He questioned whether the new system really makes travel easier for Africans. “From a traveller’s perspective, which is simpler: walking through without prior checks, or waiting on digital approval?” he asked. While acknowledging the benefits of tech in border management—like efficiency, security, and coordination—Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh warned that digital systems shouldn’t become another obstacle to mobility. He urged the government to clarify how the policy will actually work in practice, stressing the importance of transparency so Africans can understand what “free visa” truly means. In short: the visa fee might be gone, but the paperwork remains—and that’s a big difference for travellers expecting hassle-free movement across the continent.