Visa Waiver Agreement Between Ghana And South Africa Has Improved Tourism – Ramaphosa

The President of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa and Ghanaian President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo have expressed their admiration for the visa waiver agreement between Ghana and South Africa, asserting that it has led to a significant upswing in air travel and trade growth between both countries.

The agreement which allows citizens of both nations to stay in the host country for up to 90 days without a visa commenced on November 1, 2023.

During the second session of the Bi-National Committee meeting on March 12, 2024, in Johannesburg, President Ramaphosa outlined his satisfaction with the positive impact of the visa waiver on bilateral relations between the two countries.

Mr. Ramaphosa cited that the agreement has not only boosted tourism but also adorned business-to-business connections, educational and scientific exchanges, and people-to-people ties.

“We welcome to the second session of the Bi-national Commission between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Ghana, we welcome you with warm hearts. One of the recent highlights in our bilateral relations was the signing of the reciprocal visa exemption for ordinary passport holders for a period of 90 days per annum, which entered into force on the 1st of November 2023.”

“This has resulted in a considerable increase of travelers between our two countries, contributing not only to tourism, but towards enhancing business-to-business links, educational and scientific exchanges, and people-to-people ties as well,” he added.

Following Ramaphosa’s statement, President Akufo-Addo revealed that the visa waiver has deepened Ghana’s relationship with South Africa. He accentuated the importance of their partnership and the potential it holds for both nations and their peoples.

The Bi-National Committee meeting seeks to heighten cooperation and foster mutual respect between Ghana and South Africa.

“I come with warm greetings from the people and government of Ghana to you, your Excellency, Matamela, Cyril Ramaphosa, and the good people of the Republic of South Africa. As we gather at this Binational Commission meeting, I’m reminded of the profound significance of our partnership and the boundless potential it holds for our two nations and peoples”.

“Our current deliberations mark yet another chapter in our shared commitment towards nurturing a relationship built on trust, cooperation, and mutual respect” Akufo-Addo stated.

Under the Bi-national Committee arrangements, the two countries have also eliminated the visa barriers through the visa waiver agreement, which came into effect on the 1st of November 2023, to encourage people to engage with the two countries for business as well as tourism”.