Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that negotiations on the visa waiver agreement between Ghana and the Republic of Korea are expected to be concluded by June this year.
He stated that, along with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, Cho Hyun, they have been tasked with bringing the visa waiver negotiations to a close by June, and he gave firm assurances of commitment to this timeline
“Following President Mahama’s meeting with President Lee Jae-Myung, Ghana and the Republic of Korea have decided to open negotiations on a visa waiver agreement. The two Foreign Ministers have been urged to conclude negotiations by June this year. Accordingly, the public shall be kept apprised,” Ablakwa said.
The announcement follows President John Dramani Mahama’s recent official visit to South Korea, where he held bilateral discussions with President Lee Jae-Myung on strengthening diplomatic and economic relations.
The agreement, which would cover holders of diplomatic and official passports, is aimed at facilitating easier travel and promoting closer cooperation between the two nations.
If finalized, South Korea would join approximately 45 countries that maintain reciprocal visa-free arrangements with Ghana for diplomatic and service passport holders, including China, Germany, Brazil, India, South Africa, and Morocco. The arrangement is expected to facilitate smoother mobility for government officials, diplomats, and business delegations, while also fostering trade, education, and cultural exchanges.
Ghana’s travel mobility has steadily improved in recent years, with the Passport Index ranking the Ghanaian passport 69th globally in 2026.
Ghana and South Korea have maintained diplomatic relations since 1977, with cooperation spanning political, economic, and development sectors. Both countries operate embassies in each other’s capitals, Ghana in Seoul and South Korea in Accra. Economic ties have strengthened with the presence of Korean companies such as Samsung, LG Electronics, Hyundai, and Kia in Ghana, while bilateral trade largely involves Ghana exporting cocoa and mineral resources, and importing machinery, vehicles, and technology products from Korea.
Development cooperation remains central to the partnership. Through institutions such as the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), South Korea has supported Ghana in agriculture, education, healthcare, digital technology, and infrastructure development.
In recent years, both countries have sought to deepen collaboration in technology transfer, industrialisation, and critical mineral development, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding economic cooperation and reinforcing strategic ties.
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