US to stop granting visas to Ghanaians because of Gh students overstay
Ghana's Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that the United States is considering placing visa restrictions on Ghana due to a high rate of student visa overstays.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, June 26, 2025, the Minister confirmed that U.S. officials had formally communicated their concerns to Ghanaian authorities, citing a 21% default rate among Ghanaian students who travel to the U.S. for studies.
“The US officials have communicated to us that the challenge we face really relates to overstays, particularly with students—students who we have been sending abroad to study, both on government scholarships and private arrangements,” Ablakwa stated.
According to him, the U.S. Department of State’s data shows that 21% of Ghanaian students who completed their courses in the U.S. fail to return home**.
“This default rate is what has triggered Ghana’s inclusion in the proposed visa ban list,” he noted.
The announcement follows a Washington Post report indicating that Ghana is among 36 countries the Trump administration is reviewing for a possible travel ban, citing concerns ranging from national security to immigration violations.