Samuel Ablakwa (R) with Rolf Olson
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that the United States will roll out special measures to fast-track visa applications as part of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The assurance followed a high-level meeting in Accra between Ghanaian officials and the acting United States Ambassador to Ghana, Rolf Olson, alongside his diplomatic team.
Discussions at the meeting focused on strengthening Ghana-US bilateral cooperation, with particular attention given to persistent delays in visa appointment scheduling.
With Ghana set to play its group stage matches of the World Cup in the United States, Ablakwa said both sides acknowledged the urgency of resolving visa challenges for fans, officials and other stakeholders.
“On World Cup preparations, we were assured that special measures have been put in place to expedite visa applications. This is also expected to address the current delays in securing visa appointments, which we all agreed must be fixed,” the Minister stated.
According to Ablakwa, the US Embassy is expected to brief the media in the coming days on the new World Cup Visa Application Initiatives.
These measures are intended to ensure that Ghanaian supporters and officials can secure travel approvals smoothly and without unnecessary disruption.
Visa processing delays have been a longstanding concern for many applicants, particularly those travelling for major international events.
The Foreign Affairs Minister expressed confidence that the new arrangements would significantly reduce waiting times and improve the overall travel experience for eligible Ghanaians ahead of the global football showpiece.
BY Wletsu Ransford