The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that Ghana is at risk of facing a visa ban from the United States due to a high rate of visa overstays, particularly among students.
Addressing the media at the Ministry on Thursday, June 26, he stated that US officials have formally informed the Ghanaian government of their concerns regarding the country’s visa compliance. According to the US authorities, 21 percent of Ghanaian students who travel to the United States overstay their visas, exceeding the allowable threshold of 15 percent.
“The U.S. authorities have now formally brought to our attention, so it is no longer a leaked report,” Ablakwa said. “The informants have, 10 days ago, they were informed by the White House of the plans to take an expanded view of the President Trump bans. The ban, according to U.S. officials, will affect countries not complying with some 12 items, a criteria that they have outlined.”
He explained that the criteria provided by the US covers a broad range of issues including terrorism, countries that fund or sponsor terrorism, and those that serve as havens for violent extremists. Other concerns include lack of cooperation with ongoing deportations and high rates of visa overstays.
The Minister emphasized that Ghana’s challenge, as communicated by US officials, is specifically related to the issue of overstays, especially involving students, both those on government scholarships and self-sponsored individuals. The US data, he noted, indicates that 21 percent of Ghanaian students who have completed their courses refuse to return home.
“The allowance they will permit countries [to have] is doing below 15 percent, but if you are doing above 15 percent then you will be flagged for further,” he added.
Despite these concerns, Ablakwa assured that engagements with US authorities are ongoing and progressing positively. He also noted that Ghana does not fall under the more serious categories of concern such as terrorism or harboring criminals.
“We are not a country that…” he said, indicating that Ghana has been cleared of other troubling matters aside from the overstay rates.
Source: Ghana/starrfm.com.gh/Emmanuel Mensah
