President John Mahama has advised Ghanaians travelling to the United States to return home when their visas expire, warning that overstaying abroad affects the country’s diplomatic standing.
He said Ghana had narrowly avoided broader sanctions under the Donald Trump administration after being flagged for high rates of visa overstays by its citizens.
“One of the key points in our negotiation with the U.S. authorities was our agreement to address the issue of overstays who travel on student visas and others who travel as part of official government delegations,” he said on October 1 while addressing newly appointed envoys ahead of their departure.
“When they draw the threshold and you’re above it, then they cancel your five-year visas and bring you to B-5, B-3. So, those of you applying for visas, please, when you go, come back. Because you affect everybody else.”
He stressed that Ghana’s agreement with Washington did not involve any financial payment and that ongoing talks were underway regarding U.S. tariffs and the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Responding to concerns about deportations, the President assured that Ghana “will not become a dumping ground for deportees, nor will we accept individuals with criminal backgrounds.”
List of newly appointed envoys:
Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson – High Commissioner-designate, London, United Kingdom
Mr. Victor Emmanuel Smith – Ambassador-designate, Washington D.C., USA
Ms. Mavis Ama Frimpong – Ambassador-designate, Paris, France
Mr. Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed – High Commissioner-designate, Abuja, Nigeria
Dr. Koma-Steem Jehu Appiah – Ambassador-designate, Moscow, Russian Federation
Mr. Kojo Bonsu – Ambassador-designate, Beijing, China
Alhaji Hammed Rashid Tunde Ali – Ambassador-designate, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Professor Ohene Adjei – Ambassador-designate, Berlin, Germany
Alhaji Abdul Nasiru-Deen – Ambassador-designate, Ankara, Turkey
Dr. Margaret Miewien Chebere – Ambassador-designate, Copenhagen, Denmark
Mr. Labik Joseph Yaani – Ambassador-designate, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Nii Amasah Namoale – Ambassador-designate, Brasília, Brazil
Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso – High Commissioner-designate, New Delhi, India
Ambassador Samuel Yao Kumah – Ambassador-designate, New York, USA
Mr. Godwin Baletum Amonzem – Ambassador-designate, Monrovia, Liberia
Mr. Aikins Abrokwa – Ambassador in-Situ designate, Director of State Protocol
Mr. Gustav Kwaku Sefe Dovlo – Ambassador in-Situ designate, Chief of Protocol
Mrs. Patience Kokui Gameli-Kwame – Ambassador-at-Large designate, Deputy Director General, Research Department