The Dutch Ambassador to Ghana says it will be challenging for his embassy to improve service delivery based on the “generic observations” raised by Ghana’s Foreign Ministry regarding the treatment of visa applicants.
Jeroen Verheul’s comments follow a communiqué issued by the Foreign Ministry urging all embassies and high commissions in Ghana to implement humane conditions for visa applicants.
The directive comes in response to numerous public complaints about the treatment of Ghanaians at foreign missions.
“The complaints cover issues such as the lack of conducive waiting areas, unavailability of emergency services, long waiting times for appointment dates, and challenges with visa application websites,” the Ministry stated.
It added that while embassies retain the right to decide who they issue visas to, it will continue working to ensure compliance with the directives outlined in the Note Verbale.
Reacting to the Ministry’s communiqué on PM Express, Ambassador Verheul acknowledged the need for improvement but noted the broad nature of the complaints.
“No system is perfect; every system can be improved. If there are suggestions on how we could improve ours, we’re open to hearing them. But what surprised me is how general the communiqué is.
“It’s addressed to all missions and raises broad concerns about visa applicant treatment, which makes it difficult for us to act on these generic observations,” he explained.
The Dutch envoy also noted that while many Ghanaians reach out to him for support with visa applications, he receives “very few complaints” regarding how applicants are treated.
Ghana ranks among African countries with high Schengen visa rejection rates.
According to migration consultancy firm Henley & Partners, out of 42,124 Ghanaian applicants in 2022, 18,363—representing 43.6 per cent—were rejected as of 2024. Ghana places fifth after Algeria, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka.
A 2024 Afrobarometer report indicates that at least six in ten Ghanaians are considering migrating abroad, mainly to improve their economic prospects.
This increased demand for travel has fueled the growth of visa application centres and travel agencies, some of which have been accused of prioritizing profit over service quality.
In extreme cases, unsuspecting applicants are reportedly exploited despite their genuine intent to travel legally.
With the rising interest in migration, both Ghanaian authorities and foreign missions are expected to engage in further dialogue to reform and improve the visa application process.
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