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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced that his government is set to implement a visa-free policy in 2024 for all African travelers visiting Ghana. This initiative, aimed at easing travel for Africans, is part of the government’s broader commitment to enhancing continental unity and cooperation.
Speaking at the opening of the 2024 Africa Prosperity Dialogue on Thursday, January 25, the President acknowledged the visa challenges faced by many attendees. He mentioned that for this conference, the government reduced visa fees by 50% and facilitated visas on arrival. He emphasized that these measures are a step towards the broader goal of visa-free access for all Africans, with the policy’s implementation process already underway this year.
President Akufo-Addo also highlighted the importance of these dialogues in understanding and meeting the private sector’s needs and expectations. He stressed the significance of cooperation among Africans, urging them to support their governments in maintaining free and fair democratic systems that offer robust legal and institutional frameworks.
He further encouraged collective efforts to involve small-scale traders and farmers, making them see the benefits of a unified African market. The President’s vision includes fostering a collaborative environment where the private and public sectors work together towards a prosperous Africa.
The two-day Africa Prosperity Dialogue event, held at the Peduase Lodge under the theme “Developing Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add, Value, and Trade,” has attracted global participants. This dialogue, organized by the APN in partnership with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat and the Government of Ghana, among others, serves as an essential platform. It convenes business executives, thought leaders, and political figures from Africa and its diaspora to strategize and collaborate towards building the world’s largest single market in Africa.
The Africa Prosperity Dialogues were recognized by the African Union on February 19, 2023, as a key tool for engaging the private sector in the AfCFTA project. This endorsement came during the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, marking a significant step in Africa’s journey towards economic integration.
