Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called on foreign diplomatic missions in Ghana to introduce special considerations for emergency visa applications.
Speaking on the government’s ongoing engagement with embassies regarding the treatment of Ghanaian visa applicants, he highlighted the urgent need for a more compassionate and efficient system, particularly in cases involving medical emergencies, students, and other critical situations.
Ablakwa shared heartbreaking examples of Ghanaian citizens struggling to secure visas in time-sensitive situations. One such case involved a child suffering from cancer. After receiving initial treatment in India, doctors there informed the family that they needed to seek advanced medical care in another country. However, securing a visa for urgent travel has been an uphill battle.
“This is a life-and-death issue. The Member of Parliament representing the family had to write to the ministry, pleading for assistance. Unfortunately, there are many cases like this,” Ablakwa lamented.
The Minister also highlighted the struggles of students who have secured scholarships and paid their tuition but face the risk of losing their university admissions because they cannot secure a visa appointment in time.
The Minister emphasized that, in addressing these concerns, the government deliberately avoided singling out specific countries.
“We consciously left out the names of countries because we don’t want to be accused of straining diplomatic relations or embarrassing any nation. Instead, we are focusing on the issues. If a mission conducts an internal assessment, they will know whether they are implicated and can take steps to improve their system,” he explained.
Hon. Ablakwa reassured Ghanaians that this is only the first step in engagement with diplomatic missions, and the government expects continuous improvements through ongoing dialogue.
Responding to concerns that raising these issues could lead to Ghanaian visa applicants facing more rejections, the Minister dismissed such fears, citing the well-established diplomatic principle of reciprocity.
“Our international partners have, in the past, called on us to improve efficiency in our own diplomatic missions abroad. We have received feedback when they felt we were not processing travel certificates for Ghanaians facing deportation quickly enough. If they can make such requests to us, why can’t we, as a sovereign nation, also assert our rights?” Ablakwa argued.
He reiterated that the government is acting in response to the numerous petitions it has received from citizens and from direct observations of the struggles Ghanaians face.
“This has gone on for too long. We see what our fellow compatriots are going through every day, and we are saying that enough is enough. There is nothing wrong with standing up for our people,” he declared.
His remarks reflect growing frustration among Ghanaians over visa application delays and poor treatment at some foreign embassies.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s call for fair and dignified processes, particularly in emergency cases, is expected to prompt diplomatic missions to reassess and improve their visa application systems in Ghana.
Story by Freedom Lavoe.
