The United States of America (USA) has announced a visa restriction policy to check individuals who tamper with the democracy and stability of Ghana.

On Saturday, December 7, 2024, Ghana goes to the polls in a keenly contested presidential and parliamentary elections. The West African country would either be returning a former president, John Dramani Mahama, to power, and in so doing record its first female vice president, Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, or promote the current vice president, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to the highest political office, and in so doing record the first time a political party has ruled past the two-term or eight-year cycle.

In a Monday, October 28, 2024, press release, the US government stated it was "committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Ghana and around the world".

Thus, the statement added, "the Department of State is announcing a new visa restriction policy today that will restrict U.S. visas for any individual responsible for undermining democracy in Ghana".

"This policy will take effect in advance of Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled to take place December 7, 2024," the statement carried on.

However, "this visa restriction policy would apply only to specific individuals who undermine democracy and is not directed at the Ghanaian people nor the Government of Ghana," the statement clarified.

"Ghana has achieved three decades of democratic elections and the peaceful transfer of power between parties – a record to be proud of and a model to cherish. The United States’ readiness to impose visa restrictions if circumstances warrant is an example of our support for the aspirations of all Ghanaians for a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process that reflects the will of the people," the US government emphasised.

Click here to see the legal context for the visa restriction policy.

Recently in northern Ghana, the US and German launched a US$40 million initiative to promote peace and stability, while preventing violent extremism. 

Read: CSSM: US counts on Ghana to help prevent conflicts, promote stability in West Africa