CLAIM
Ghanaian passport holders to travel to UAE without visa
Even though a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the two states, the processes of executing the terms have not been completed.
Media publications earlier this week suggest that Ghanaian passport holders can travel to the United Arab Emirates, UAE, without Visa — but is that really the case? Let’s find out.
CLAIM: What Has Been Said?
Earlier this week, some online media portals including AmeyawDebrah, BBC, GhanaWeb, etc. reported on a Visa waiver for Ghanaians seeking to travel to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The reports stem from an announcement by the Parliament of Ghana which was communicated through their official Facebook page.
Portions of the report read;
Parliament has by a resolution, approved a Visa Waiver Agreement with the Government of Ghana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in respect of diplomatic, service/special and ordinary passport holders on Thursday August 05, 2021.
This follows the adoption of the Foreign Affairs Committee Report on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and the UAE on mutual exemption of entry visa requirements in respect of diplomatic, service/special and ordinary passport holders.
The MOU is restricted to holders of diplomatic and other official passports which categories are noted to be easy to manage given the fact that their holders are often public officials whose background and conducts are within the purview of the public and state security apparatus.
VERIFICATION: What Is The Situation?
A statement released by the Ghana Embassy in the UAE seeks to dismiss such reports and urges the public to disregard all such publications and messages. According to them, even though a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the two states, the processes of executing the terms have not been completed.
The MOU on the exemption of visa requirements between Ghana and the UAE was taken to Parliament on May 2021 by Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchway.
Conclusion
Based on the available facts, we can sufficiently conclude that reports that Ghanaians can travel to UAE without Visa are not entirely true. It can only come to fruition after the processes for its implementation have been completed. Until an official statement is released, Ghanaian passport holders will be required to travel with a Visa.
