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Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Nsawam/Adoagyiri, Hon. Frank Annor Dompreh, is bemused at the announcement by the United States government that it has imposed visa application restrictions on Ghanaians.

According to him, the news came as a surprise because the government of Ghana through its Embassy in the US, has been "engaging" the US Home Office over their planned deportation of some Ghanaians living in the US without valid documents.

Per these new measures by the government of the USA, some category of visa applicants will be allowed to go through the application process, "no visas" will be issued while the restrictions "remain in effect". 

"The lack of adjudication does not mean a visa denial," the US government stressed.

In an interview with Peace FM News, the Nsawam Adoagyiri MP revealed that he has met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Owuraku Aidoo to see how they can have the issue resolved without the country attracting further sanctions.

"Though we are still in talks with the United States Home Office, Ghanaians should rest assure that the matter will be resolved amicably," he promised.

He, however, added that Ghana's relationship with the US could be strained should the matter drag on without any immediate solution.

"Nonetheless, we are sure that everything will work out successfully at the end of the day. We will also ensure that our relationship with the US would not be affected in any way," he added.

US Gov't Statement

The United States Embassy in Accra, will from Monday discontinue issuing all non-immigrant visas (NIV) to domestic employees, A3 and G5, of Ghanaian diplomats posted in the United States.

This follows what the U.S. government says is due to the refusal or unreasonably delay by the government of Ghana to accept its nationals ordered removed from their country.

In a statement announcing this decision by the U.S. Homeland Security it said the Secretary of State Pompeo has ordered consular officers in Ghana to implement visa restrictions on certain categories of visa applicants.

“Without an appropriate response from Ghana, the scope of these sanctions may be expanded to a wider population.”

The sanctions will remain in place until the Secretary of Homeland Security notifies Secretary Pompeo that cooperation on removals has improved to an acceptable level.

The Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, said “Ghana has failed to live up to its obligations under international law to accept the return of its nationals ordered removed from the United States.”

The United States routinely cooperates with foreign governments in documenting and accepting U.S. citizens when asked, as appropriate, as do the majority of countries in the world, but Ghana has failed to do so in this case, the statement further stated.

“We hope the Ghanaian government will work with us to reconcile these deficiencies quickly.”

However, the U.S. Embassy in Accra has explained that A3 and G5 visa applications will be processed, but no visas in these categories will be issued while these restrictions remain in effect. The lack of adjudication does not mean a visa denial.