Ghana and Grenada near visa-free travel agreement to strengthen bilateral ties

Ghana and Grenada are on the verge of finalizing an agreement that will permit citizens of both countries to travel freely without the need for visas.

The two nations are preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will extend visa exemptions to holders of all passport categories, including diplomatic and ordinary ones.

Speaking at the Jubilee House on Friday, October 17, during a visit by Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Thomas Mitchell, President John Dramani Mahama announced that discussions on the visa-waiver deal were at an advanced stage.

He explained that while the agreement is already in operation, a few technical issues affecting some Grenadian travelers are being addressed.

“We have the MoU on visa waiver for each other’s citizens which is in operation. We’ve had a few complaints from a few Grenadian citizens. We are asking the Foreign Ministry to sort it out so that we can fully implement the visa waiver for all categories of passports,” President Mahama said.

“Our citizens should be able to travel freely. It is something we will ensure is fully implemented,” he added.

The President emphasized that the visa-free arrangement is part of a broader effort to enhance trade, cultural exchange, and cooperation between the two nations.

Highlighting Ghana’s economic prospects, President Mahama noted that nearly 50 African countries have joined the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a platform that eliminates tariffs and duties on goods traded within Africa.

He said the framework offers immense opportunities for collaboration between African and Caribbean countries, paving the way for joint investments and access to a continental market of more than 1.3 billion people.

Prime Minister Dickon Thomas Mitchell expressed Grenada’s readiness to deepen its partnership with Ghana, not only in trade but also in political and social relations.

He also shared a personal revelation, noting that a DNA ancestry test traced his maternal lineage to Ghana’s Akan ethnic group.

According to him, an estimated 75 percent of Grenada’s population can trace their ancestral roots to Ghana — a connection he described as a strong foundation for unity and mutual growth between the two nations.