The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa-Korea Foreign Ministers Meeting and is expected to facilitate official travel, strengthen diplomatic engagement and deepen cooperation between Accra and Seoul.
Announcing the development, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, described the agreement as a significant milestone in bilateral relations.
“Ghana and South Korea today signed a historic Visa Waiver Agreement for holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports,” Ablakwa said in a post on X, adding that discussions would continue with the aim of extending the arrangement to holders of ordinary passports.
The agreement was signed by Ablakwa and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. According to Ghana’s Foreign Ministry, the deal aligns with efforts by both governments to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.
Ablakwa said the development advances key priorities identified following President John Mahama’s working visit to South Korea in March, during which both countries explored opportunities for closer cooperation.
The visa waiver agreement is the latest step in Ghana’s broader diplomatic strategy aimed at improving international mobility and strengthening partnerships with countries around the world.
Earlier this year, Ghana introduced a visa-free entry policy for citizens of all African countries, becoming one of the few nations on the continent to adopt such a measure. The policy was widely welcomed by supporters of regional integration, who view the free movement of people as essential to maximizing the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The government has also intensified efforts to pursue similar agreements and expand bilateral cooperation with strategic partners as it seeks to attract investment, boost trade and reinforce Ghana’s position as a gateway to West Africa.
The new visa waiver arrangement is expected to ease official travel and support stronger diplomatic cooperation between Ghana and South Korea in the years ahead.
