Ghana has been excluded from the most recent round of United States visa restrictions, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The announcement comes after the US government expanded its travel and immigration limitations to include additional countries, a decision made public on Tuesday, December 16.
Speaking on Wednesday at a farewell parade for Ghana Army Engineers deployed to Jamaica for reconstruction projects, Ablakwa said Ghana’s exemption highlights the strong diplomatic relationship between Accra and Washington.
“Once again, Ghana has been spared from the latest US visa restrictions, which impacted nearly all of our neighbouring countries,” the minister stated.
He attributed the exemption to Ghana’s consistent diplomatic engagement and commended President John Dramani Mahama for his leadership in shaping the country’s foreign policy.
The newly expanded restrictions are part of broader immigration policies introduced under the Donald Trump administration, which the White House said are intended to protect US national security.
Under the new regulations, nationals from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as travellers using Palestinian Authority-issued passports, will face full entry bans, effective January 1, 2026.
The US government cited concerns including visa overstays, weak documentation systems, corruption, and limited cooperation on deportations as justification for extending the restrictions to more countries.
