International relations commentator, Frank Boateng Agyarkwa, has criticised Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, following the United States government’s recent revision of its visa reciprocity policy for Ghana.
Under the new policy issued by the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs, most Ghanaian non-immigrant visa applicants will now receive single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.
This marks a significant reduction from the previous multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Joshua Kodjo Mensah on Thursday, July 10, Agyarkwa blamed the shift on recent public commentary by Ghana’s Foreign Minister.
“I think the problem that has caused this is a result of the utterances by the current Ghanaian Foreign Minister,” he said. “His writings on Facebook and social media were unpalatable. With Americans, we don’t challenge them like that. We’re talking about the world’s superpower— even Russia and China bow.”
Agyarkwa described the development as regrettable, noting that Ghana previously enjoyed a healthy bilateral relationship with the United States.
The changes affect a wide range of visa categories, including the B-class visas for business and tourism, as well as F-1 student visas.
K1 and K2 fiancé(e) visas remain single-entry, while K3 and K4 spousal and dependent visas retain multiple-entry status with a 24-month validity.
Holders of A-class diplomatic visas will continue to enjoy multiple-entry visas valid for 24 to 60 months.
Although no official reason has been given by the U.S., the policy aligns with its global reciprocity framework, which matches the visa conditions other countries offer to U.S. citizens. Similar adjustments were recently made for Nigeria.
The revised policy is expected to increase costs and administrative burdens for Ghanaians seeking to travel to the United States for multiple purposes over a short period.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
