Ghanaians get visa-free access to Maldives, Zambia and Antigua and Barbuda

Ghanaian passport holders can now travel to the Maldives, Zambia, and Antigua and Barbuda without obtaining an entry visa, following the ratification and entry into force of visa waiver agreements between Ghana and the three countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the development in a public notice dated September 8, 2026, confirming that the arrangements extend to holders of ordinary, service, and diplomatic passports .

Stay Durations Vary by Destination

Under the agreements, Ghanaians travelling to the Maldives and Zambia may remain for a maximum of 30 days per visit, while those travelling to Antigua and Barbuda are permitted a longer stay of up to 90 days .

The visa waiver arrangements apply as follows:

Country Passport Categories Covered Maximum Duration
Republic of Maldives Ordinary, Service and Diplomatic 30 days
Republic of Zambia Ordinary, Service and Diplomatic 30 days
Antigua and Barbuda Ordinary, Service and Diplomatic 90 days

Conditions Still Apply

Despite the waiver arrangements, the Ministry stressed that visa-free status does not remove the obligation to comply with the immigration laws of each destination country.

“Eligible Ghanaian passport holders may travel to these countries without obtaining an entry visa, subject to the terms and conditions of the respective agreements,” the Ministry stated .

Travellers are required to carry a valid passport along with any additional documentation the receiving country’s authorities may request, and must not exceed their approved period of stay .

The Ministry also clarified that Ghanaians intending to travel for purposes such as employment, study, or permanent residence still need to obtain the appropriate authorisation before departure, as visa-free arrangements do not cover those categories .

Travellers have further been advised to verify current entry conditions, health requirements, and any other applicable regulations directly with the relevant authorities or through Ghana’s nearest embassy or high commission in the destination country, given that such requirements are subject to change .

Building on Recent Diplomatic Gains

The visa waiver agreements form part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ease the movement of Ghanaian citizens internationally and to deepen the country’s diplomatic relationships.

The arrangements were first approved by Cabinet in April 2026, when Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that Cabinet had given the green light for reciprocal visa waiver arrangements with the three countries .

“Parliament is expected to ratify the Cabinet approvals shortly. We shall keep negotiating more visa waiver agreements as we add greater value to the Ghanaian passport, and at the same time enhance security protocols around acquiring Ghanaian passports,” Ablakwa said at the time .

The agreements are expected to boost tourism, business travel, and cultural exchange between Ghana and the three partner countries .

Ghana’s Passport Ranking Recovery

The new visa waivers come as Ghana’s passport has shown notable improvement in global rankings. The Ghana passport was ranked 68th globally and 11th in Africa in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, with access to approximately 60 to 68 visa-free destinations .

This represents a significant recovery from 2021, when the Ghana passport fell to a record low of 84th on the index. The current ranking marks a rise of 16 places from that low point .

“Under the dynamic and stellar leadership of our Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, we’re bouncing back stronger and better. We shall restore Ghana’s passport to the top in the foreseeable future,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated .

As a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ghanaian passport holders already enjoy free movement within the sub-region, in addition to other visa-free and visa-on-arrival destinations worldwide .

Structural Barriers Remain

Despite the diplomatic gains, analysts note that Ghanaian travellers still face structural barriers to global mobility. The Henley Global Mobility Report 2026 observed that issues of shorter visa validities, heavier documentation burdens, heightened scrutiny, and materially higher rejection risks persist for Ghanaian passport holders .

The report noted that while outbound ambitions from Africa are soaring—driven by trade, education, and global business—inbound openness from major economies continues to tighten. Schengen visa rejection rates for Africans have climbed to 26.6 percent, according to Eurostat data .

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating the movement of Ghanaian citizens and strengthening Ghana’s bilateral relations with partner countries .

“The Ministry remains committed to facilitating the movement of Ghanaian citizens and strengthening Ghana’s bilateral relations with partner countries,” the statement concluded .