Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has assured Ghanaians that the Mahama administration will continue to pursue foreign policy decisions that protect the country’s strategic interests and prevent citizens from being unfairly affected by tightening immigration measures in some countries, particularly the United States.
In a post on X, the minister said the government remains committed to ensuring that Ghanaians are not disadvantaged, even as more countries face U.S. visa sanctions and the introduction of costly visa bonds.
“As many more countries face US visa sanctions and $15,000 visa bonds, Ghanaians can be assured that the Mahama Administration will continue to pursue mutually beneficial foreign policy objectives that align with our strategic national interest and that ensure our citizens are not disadvantaged,” he wrote. “Trust us to keep fighting for you.”
His comments come against the backdrop of a quiet expansion of the United States’ controversial visa-bond pilot programme. On January 5, 2026, the U.S. State Department added Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan to a growing list of countries whose nationals must now post refundable bonds of between US$5,000 and US$15,000 when applying for visitor visas.
The policy, first introduced in 2025, is aimed at deterring visa overstays by creating a financial incentive for timely departure. U.S. officials say it targets countries with historically high overstay rates. However, critics argue that the measure unfairly penalises entire populations for the actions of a few and effectively prices out legitimate travellers.
Although Ghana is not currently on the expanded list, the development has raised concerns across Africa and other regions about the possibility of similar restrictions being imposed in the future.
For businesses, the policy has also created fresh challenges. U.S. companies that regularly host clients and partners from affected countries now face higher upfront costs, possible delays in scheduling, and the need to explore alternative meeting destinations.
Travel managers have also been advised to prepare for longer visa processing times, as consular officers now handle bond documentation alongside routine vetting.
While the bonds are refundable once a traveller proves timely exit—or immediately if a visa is denied—questions remain about how quickly refunds will be processed and whether exchange-rate fluctuations could reduce the final amount returned.
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