The United States has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals and their immediate relatives who are found to be undermining democracy in Ghana.
The policy, effective immediately, is aimed at promoting democracy in Ghana and will apply ahead of the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7, 2024.
This measure will specifically affect those responsible for actions that threaten democratic principles and is not directed at the Ghanaian people or the Government of Ghana. A U.S. Department of State statement emphasized that Ghana’s three-decade legacy of democratic elections and peaceful power transitions stands as a model worthy of preservation.
The U.S. reiterated its commitment to the aspirations of Ghanaians for a transparent, credible, and peaceful electoral process, cautioning that visa restrictions will be enforced if necessary to support a fair election that reflects the people’s will.
This visa restriction policy is pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and allows the Department of State to implement visa restrictions for individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Ghana, including through the manipulation or rigging of the electoral process; the use of violence to intimidate, coerce or prevent people from exercising their rights to freedoms of association and peaceful assembly; the use of measures designed to intimidate, coerce or prevent political party representatives, voters, or members of civil society or the media from voicing or disseminating their views; or engaging in any other activity designed to improperly influence the conduct or outcome of an election. Certain family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions. Persons who undermine democracy in Ghana — including in the lead-up to, during, and following Ghana’s 2024 elections may be found to be ineligible for visas under this policy.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has welcomed the United States’ new visa restriction policy targeting individuals and their immediate relatives who are found to be undermining democracy in Ghana
In a post on Facebook, the legislator noted that such initiative will deter unlawful actions from happening in the country especially at a time Ghana is preparing for its elections.
“A most welcome statement from the US Secretary of State. Those misguided unpatriotic elements who think they can instigate violence, rig elections and subvert the will of the Ghanaian people only to escape with their families to other countries are very likely to rethink,” he wrote.
