Report says Ghana–South Africa visa-free travel arrangement remains in force
Image credit: Ghana Business News.
- Ghana Business News reported that a viral list alleging the end of visa-free travel for Ghanaians to South Africa was false.
- The report cited presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya as rejecting the claim.
- The report said information from South African and Ghanaian authorities indicated that the visa-free regime remained active.
A social-media list claiming that South Africa has withdrawn visa-free entry for holders of Ghanaian ordinary passports is false, according to a report by Ghana Business News.
The publication said the document, circulated as a PDF and linked to the website of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, stated that Ghanaians could enter South Africa for up to 90 days but would first need to apply and pay for a visa.
However, Ghana Business News reported that Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, dismissed the claim. In a response cited by the publication, Magwenya said the information was “fake” and untrue.
The report also said information published by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs continued to show that the visa-free regime remained in place. It further cited data obtained from Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as indicating that the reciprocal arrangement was still in force.
Reciprocal arrangement
Ghana and South Africa announced in October 2023 that, from 1 November 2023, holders of ordinary passports from both countries would not need to obtain visas before travelling to the other country. The arrangement also removed the need for visas on arrival.
Under the agreement as described in the report, citizens of Ghana and South Africa may visit the other country for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa before departure.
The publication noted that the disputed list had appeared convincing because it was hosted or linked through a South African government web domain. Travellers should rely on current notices from the relevant immigration and foreign-affairs authorities when making travel plans, particularly where online documents conflict with existing official travel arrangements.
