The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has directed all Embassies and High Commissions in the country to put in place appropriate and humane conditions at their visa centres to create a more convenient environment for applicants.
The directive follows the numerous complaints by the public about how Ghanaian citizens are usually treated when they visit foreign missions in Ghana for visa applications.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, Mr Ablakwa said: “Our Ministry has engaged Embassies and High Commissions over issues such as not providing conducive waiting areas, non-availability of emergency services, long waiting times for appointment dates, as well as challenges in using visa application websites.
Expectation
“To address these concerns, the Ministry has dispatched a Note Verbale to all Embassies and High Commissions, urging them to put in place appropriate and humane conditions at their Embassies, High Commissions and visa centres.
Advertisement
“It is the Ministry's expectation that Foreign Missions will respond positively and appropriately to the request,” he stressed.
He said the ministry would continue to ensure that the embassies and high commissions complied with the directives stated in the Note Verbale while acknowledging that embassies and high commissions reserved the right to determine who they issued visas to.
Mr Ablakwa assured the public that the ministry was committed to addressing the concerns of Ghanaian visa applicants.
