“Ghana On U.S. Visa Ban Watchlist Because Over 21% of Students Overstay After Completing Their Studies”- Foreign Affairs Minister

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has confirmed that the country may be included in a new U.S. travel ban list, primarily due to the high rate of student overstays.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, June 26, the Minister revealed that U.S. authorities have flagged Ghana because 21% of Ghanaian students who travel to the U.S. for studies fail to return upon completing their programs. The data, he noted, was formally shared by the U.S. government.

“The US officials have communicated to us that the challenge we face really relates to overstays, particularly with students—both those on government scholarship and those who apply independently,” Ablakwa explained.

He stated that Ghana’s overstay rate significantly exceeds the U.S. threshold for exemption, which is set at 15%. “They have told us that they would permit countries doing below 15%, but if you are doing above 15%, then you will be flagged for further actions,” he said.

The issue follows a report by The Washington Post indicating that the Trump administration is considering adding Ghana and 35 other countries to a visa ban list. The list targets countries that violate at least one of 12 key criteria, including terrorism links, failure to cooperate on deportation processes, and high rates of visitor overstays.

Despite the concern, Ablakwa assured the public that diplomatic engagements with U.S. authorities are progressing well. “They have confirmed to us that aside from overstays, Ghana does not fall under other critical concerns such as terrorism, harboring criminals, or refusal to accept deportees,” he clarified.

The government is expected to intensify diplomatic efforts to address the overstay issue and prevent Ghana’s inclusion in the final list.