Copyright modernghana
The Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has disagreed with Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa over his celebration of the United States’ decision to restore Ghana’s visa validity to five years. The US, citing concerns of overstaying, particularly by students, imposed visa restrictions on Ghana and other countries in July 2025, limiting applicants to a maximum three-month single-entry visa and other constraints. Describing the restoration as a “big win” for Ghana, Mr. Ablakwa announced on Friday, September 26, that citizens are once again eligible for five-year multiple-entry visas and enhanced consular privileges. Though not officially confirmed, many observers believe the move is tied to Ghana’s reported acceptance of third-party West African deportees from the US under President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Reacting on social media on Saturday, Mr. Cudjoe called the development a “celebration of pittance,” arguing that Ghana could have negotiated for a better settlement. “Frankly, my brother Honourable Okudzeto, I wish this had not been posted and celebrated. We had this already. Yes, I know the Trump administration threatened visa restrictions, but we could have negotiated for more, perhaps a good reduction of the 15% tariff imposed on Ghana,” he wrote. “Knowing that Trump is a deal maker on almost everything, and given our President’s daring, audaciously great speech on Gaza, we should not be settling for this visa pittance. Is this all we got from taking in our deportee West African neighbours?” he asked.
