Skip to main content

Ghana added to South Africa’s list of visa-free countries

File Photo
Ghanaians no longer need a visa to travel to South Africa.

This is because the South African Government has added Ghana to the list of its visa-free countries.

This was captured in a post on South Africa’s Home Affairs Twitter handle.

Other countries that were added to the list of visa-free countries include Qatar, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Cuba and Sao Tome and Principe.

A separate statement from the Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi said: “Out of the 193 countries who are member states of the United Nations, the Department has granted visa-free status to 75 countries.”

He said, out of the number “16 are in our [African] continent and are SADC members and 59 are from all over the world.”

He went on further to announce seven countries that have been added to the visa-free list which included Ghana.

Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi said they “will immediately enter into discussions with them about how a visa-free regime will work. We still have some homework to do for 3 countries whose combined populations make up close to 30% of the world’s population i.e. China, India and Nigeria,” the statement added.”

Below are excerpts of the statement by the Home Affairs Minister with regards to visa waiver:

While Home Affairs Department core mandate is issuing identification, we also contribute significantly to economic growth.

We do this by making life easier for our sister Departments such as Tourism to boost their tourism figures. Tourism will soar if we relax visa requirements for entry into South Africa. We know that Tourism is very important for job creation.

Out of the 193 countries who are member states of the United Nations, the Department has granted visa-free status to 75 countries. Of these 16 are in our continent and are SADC members and 59 are from all over the world.

Today, we wish to announce an addition to our visa-free countries.

These are:

Qatar

United Arab Emirates

New Zealand

Saudi Arabia

Cuba

Ghana

Sao Tome and Principe

We will immediately enter into discussions with them about how a visa-free regime will work. 

We still have some homework to do for 3 countries whose combined populations make up close to 30% of the world’s population i.e. China, India and Nigeria.

While we are busy tackling the matter of the three countries. 
For now, we shall this financial year, increase 2½ times the number of people who work for Home Affairs to process visas in both China and India. 
We shall increase 2 times the number of people who process visas to our country in Nigeria.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Invest your profits back into farming - COCOBOD boss to Cocoa Farmers

Joseph Boahen Aidoo is Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has charged cocoa farmers to be business minded in operating their farms and to partake fully in the various programmes introduced by COCOBOD to ensure good farm yields and to increase profits. "Good farming practices, like pruning, the timely application of fertilizers and proper pests control are essential at all times," he said. Joseph Boahen Aidoo stated this while interacting with farmers in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions, on the first day of his week-long tour of cocoa farms across the county. He was accompanied by the Deputy Chief Executive of Operations at COCOBOD, Dr Emmanuel Opoku, as well, as Directors and Research Scientists from COCOBOD. The tour is aimed at assessing the level of farmer participation in the various farm productivity improvement programmes implemented by COCOBOD; it is also...

Dogboe takes time off boxing

Isaac Dogboe Isaac Dogboe's journey in the pugilistic sport is far from over, even though he is to take a lengthy break. The 24-year-old will remain in the sport but will take time off and resume his university education, he has exclusively confirmed to Joy Sports. The former world champion gained admission to the Penster University last year but had deferred studies due to the demands of his boxing career. This decision to return to school comes after a one-on-one meeting with his father, Paul, who led his corner on the night of his humiliating loss to WBO super bantamweight champion, Emmanuel Navarette. "I am good and glad I was not injured. It's rather unfortunate I couldn't win the bout and I guess sometimes these things happen. I am grateful to all for the massive support for this bout,” he told Joy Sports in Arizona. He mentions that he will take time off to get himself back into school, and re-strategize to make a return to the ...

Two staff at Office of Special Prosecutor investigated for stealing fuel

Martin Amidu, Speacial Prosecutor Two employees of the Office of the Special Prosecutor have been indicted for allegedly stealing fuel. Accountant, Peter Owusu Afriyie and Secretary to the Special Prosecutor’s office, Joseph Dasanah, drew almost ¢10,000 worth of fuel monthly even though they are not entitled to it, JoyNews has sighted a memo. A memo from the then acting Head of Investigations, Julius Zodanu, to the Special Prosecutor, detailed how Joseph Dasanah –Amidu’s secretary, and an accountant, both signed for fuel coupons even though, as unconfirmed staff on secondment, neither of them was entitled to it. The memos showed further discrepancies with Joseph Dasanah’s fuel claims, JoyNews Kojo Yankson has found out. The secretary allegedly stole some 5,300 cedis worth of claims. In one day, he made two fuel claims – ¢400 and ¢300 for his 2018 Toyota Corolla, a vehicle whose tank can only take ¢250 to ¢300 worth of fuel at full capacity. Independent assessments show a 2018 Toyot...