The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has announced that effective March 1, 2022, it will begin to admit Ghanaian passengers and dual nationals returning to the country on a valid Ghana Identification Card better known as ‘Ghana Card’.
The decision, according to the GIS follows the official recognition of the Ghana Card as an International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO-compliant travel document.
A statement, signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Superintendent Michael Amoako-Atta, indicated that, holders of the Ghana Card can now use it to travel back to Ghana from any part of the world, as well as for travels within the ECOWAS sub-region.
It however served notice that until bilateral agreements are signed with other countries, the Ghana Card cannot be used to travel outside the ECOWAS sub-region.
“Ghanaians who have renounced their Ghanaian citizenship to obtain the citizenship of another country are not eligible to travel on the Ghana card”
“It should also be noted that dual nationals holding the Ghana Card will not require visas to enter Ghana” the statement said.
The GIS, highlighting the entry procedures as part of measures put in place at the Kotoka International says there shall be designated booths at the Kotoka International Airport to process Ghanaian passengers who travel on the Ghana Card into the country.
“Upon arrival, the identity of the Ghana Card holder will be verified against the National Identity Register.
“Once the passenger’s identity has been successfully verified, the passenger is admitted into the country.”
Meanwhile, the GIS warned that a passenger who arrives in the country with a fake Ghana Card will be denied entry, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the Section 52 of the immigration act, 2000, (573).
“It is an offence under Section 52 of Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573) for a person to fraudulently acquire or use a forged or fake travel document and convicted offenders may be fined and/or imprisoned,” it cautioned.
Here is the full statement
