The governments of Ghana and South Africa have recently reached a visa waiver agreement, enabling citizens of both countries to enter one another’s territory without the need for visas.
Through a post on social media platform X on October 13, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration announced that such an agreement is expected to enter into force on November 1, 2023, VisaGuide.World reports.
“Travelers may transit through, depart from, and stay in the territory of both countries for a cumulative period of up to 90 days without recourse to work,” the statement of the Ministry reads.
South Africa has gradually reduced visa restrictions for African nations, eliminating previous requirements for travelers to show proof of sufficient funds and return flight tickets.
Thus, an agreement that allows Kenyan citizens to visit South Africa without a visa for a maximum of 90 days in a single calendar year came into effect in January of this year.
These two nations were actively working to dismantle trade barriers that have hindered economic cooperation. South African citizens enjoyed visa-free travel to Kenya, while Kenyan citizens were required to pay and provide proof of adequate funds and return flight tickets.
As of October 2023, the South African passport is ranked 97th in the world, according to the VisaGuide Passport Index. This ranking enables South African citizens to enjoy visa-free travel to 73 countries around the globe. For the remaining countries, South African passport holders must apply for a visa before their trip.
Now that visa rules have been facilitated, more people are expected to travel from South Africa to Ghana and vice versa.
South African Airways (SAA), an airline that connects the two countries, operates flights between Johannesburg and Accra three times a week. These flights are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, offering travelers convenient travel planning options.
SAA’s interim CEO, Professor John Lamola, who also wears the hat of the recently elected deputy chairperson of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA), has expressed his enthusiasm for this important development.
In this regard, he pointed out that such a development is essential for the growth of the inter-African connection and the promotion of tourism and trade throughout the continent.
According to him, facilitating smooth travel within Africa aligns with the collective efforts championed by AASA and other industry organizations.
As Lamola explains, this move represents a decisive move towards promoting increased unity and prosperity across the African continent, enabling a new era of travel, trade, and cultural interaction.
Source link : https://visaguide.world/news/south-africa-ghana-reach-visa-free-travel-agreement/
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Publish date : 2023-10-19 07:00:00
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