A coalition of Pan-African organizations is urging President John Dramani Mahama to remove the $200 visa-on-arrival fee for African nationals entering Ghana, describing the policy as a barrier to intra-African mobility, trade, and cultural exchange.
The initiative is being led by Hardi Yakubu, Movement Coordinator of Africans Rising, and includes advocacy groups such as Economic Fighters League and Borderless Africa Tertiary Clubs. While the petition has not yet been formally submitted, organizers are calling on supporters across the continent to sign and add their names once it is launched.
“This is more than a question of money; it is about Africa’s cohesion and Ghana’s role as a continental leader,” Hardi Yakubu said. “Ghana has historically been a beacon of Pan-African values, recognized across the continent for championing unity, freedom of movement, and economic collaboration.”
Background to the Issue
Ghana has long held a symbolic and practical position in the African imagination. Since the days of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the country has been celebrated as a champion of African unity, hosting the 1958 All-African Peoples’ Conference and providing sanctuary for freedom fighters across the continent. More recently, Ghana became the host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, positioning the country as a nerve center for Africa’s economic future.
Despite this legacy, the $200 visa-on-arrival fee for African nationals has raised concerns about accessibility and inclusivity. Advocates argue that the fee discourages travel from within the continent and contradicts Ghana’s leadership role in regional integration. Students, in particular, face financial strain, as many rely on intra-African mobility for education, internships, and cultural programs. Traders, entrepreneurs, and creatives are also hindered from exploring opportunities and collaborations across borders.
Ghana signed the African Union Protocol on Free Movement of Persons on 21 March 2018, a landmark agreement designed to facilitate seamless travel across Africa, but full implementation remains pending. Advocates say the $200 fee undermines the spirit of the protocol and threatens Ghana’s credibility in promoting Pan-African ideals.
The Call to Action
The coalition is preparing to launch a petition urging the Ghanaian government to remove the visa-on-arrival fee and ratify the AU Free Movement Protocol. Advocates argue that these measures would bring substantial economic and social benefits. Increased tourism from African visitors would generate revenue for hotels, restaurants, and local businesses. Lower travel costs would encourage traders and entrepreneurs to engage with Ghanaian markets, while more conferences, summits, and cultural events would enhance the country’s profile as a hub for African collaboration.
Other African nations, including Benin, Seychelles, Rwanda, The Gambia, and Kenya, have already removed visa requirements for fellow Africans, setting a regional precedent that organizers hope Ghana will follow.
Hardi Yakubu emphasized the broader vision of the initiative: “This is about honoring Ghana’s historic Pan-African leadership and ensuring that our continent moves together freely, economically, socially, and culturally.”
Supporters are being invited to sign the petition once it launches via https://forms.gle/S2DuFiHDv4fJmkH57
. The coalition hopes the campaign will prompt urgent government action and reaffirm Ghana’s role as a leader in continental unity, mobility, and trade.
