Latest news with #ElectronicTravelAuthorizationtoMorocco
Morocco World
8 hours ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Ghanaians Can Now Travel to Morocco Without Traditional Visa
Doha – Ghanaian citizens no longer need to obtain traditional visas to enter Morocco, following a new bilateral agreement between the two African countries. The landmark policy change, which takes immediate effect, replaces embassy appointments with an online travel authorization system promising approvals within 24 hours. Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the development during his two-day working visit to Rabat. 'This is one of the key agreements reached with the Moroccan Foreign Minister during my two-day working visit,' Ablakwa stated. The minister shared the news on his official social media pages on Friday, explaining that Ghanaians can now travel to Morocco using an electronic authorization system. Moroccan officials confirmed the immediate implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorization to Morocco (ETAM) system for Ghanaian citizens. 'We've agreed to make mobility easier for our citizens,' Ablakwa said during a press briefing with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita. 'Although there is already a direct air link between Ghana and Morocco, the visa has been the main barrier to trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchange. Now, with this new measure, that barrier is lifted.' The visa waiver policy aims to significantly enhance trade, boost tourism, and deepen interpersonal connections between the two countries. Existing direct flights operated by Royal Air Maroc will be increased to support this new agreement, potentially establishing daily connections between Casablanca and Accra. 'This will significantly boost tourism and trade, especially since Morocco is a very popular destination,' Ablakwa added. In their joint statement, both ministers affirmed their commitment to promoting tourism, trade, and economic development. They also revealed intentions to finalize a complete visa exemption agreement for holders of ordinary passports in the future. Beyond facilitating travel, the diplomatic engagement produced a seismic shift in Ghana's foreign policy. During the same visit, Ghana formally terminated its recognition of 'SADR,' the paper state proclaimed by the separatist Polisario Front, which it had supported since 1979. Ghana now fully backs Morocco's autonomy proposal for Western Sahara, describing it as 'the only realistic and sustainable basis for a mutually acceptable solution' to the regional dispute. The ministerial meetings yielded several additional cooperation agreements. Both countries signed a memorandum of understanding on political consultations to enhance diplomatic coordination. Morocco pledged to increase scholarships for Ghanaian students from 90 to 140 annually across various disciplines through the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI). 'This is excellent news for us,' Ablakwa remarked. 'Our universities will also welcome Moroccan students, particularly those interested in English-language programs and African studies. We'll soon have a specific agreement in place to facilitate this academic cooperation.' Economic collaboration featured prominently in discussions, with plans for a joint business forum focusing on fertilizer supply—a strategic sector given Ghana's annual import bill of over $3 billion in agricultural products. Both countries will deepen cooperation in agriculture and food security, with special attention to Ghana's cocoa sector. 'Ghana currently spends nearly $3 billion annually on food imports. Our new President is committed to reversing that trend,' said Ablakwa. 'Morocco's expertise in agriculture, agri-food, and fertilizer production gives it a clear advantage. Moroccan experts will soon collaborate with their Ghanaian counterparts to determine the best fertilizer type for our needs.' Transportation links also received attention during Ablakwa's meeting with Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh. Both parties discussed opportunities in air connectivity, maritime transport, and logistics. Ablakwa mentioned that President John Mahama hopes to make a state visit to Morocco soon, reciprocating King Mohammed VI's 2017 visit to Accra, during which 25 bilateral agreements were signed across key sectors. 'The borders in Africa must not be allowed to divide us—they can be bridges of connectivity. Diplomacy must make meaningful impact in the lives of the people we serve,' Ablakwa concluded. The current agreement builds on earlier discussions between the two countries. In March, Ablakwa met with Morocco's Ambassador to Ghana, Imane Ouaadil, where they initially agreed to introduce a visa waiver for travelers from both countries. This development goes in line with Ghana's broader visa liberalization policy. In January, then-President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the removal of visa requirements for all African passport holders effective January 1, making Ghana the fifth African country to implement such a policy after Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin. Morocco and Ghana have steadily strengthened their bilateral relations in recent years. In January, Morocco was represented at Ghana's presidential inauguration, with Moroccan officials participating in the ceremony that saw President John Mahama take office. The two countries position their engagement as a model for strengthening intra-African partnerships.
Ya Biladi
3 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Ghana and Morocco to simplify residency, work toward visa-free mobility
In a significant shift in its position on the Sahara issue, Ghana has expressed its support for Morocco's autonomy plan, describing it as the «only realistic and sustainable basis for a mutually acceptable solution» to the regional dispute. The announcement came during a joint statement delivered in Rabat by Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita. The two also held a press briefing following the signing of the declaration and a memorandum of understanding on political consultations. This endorsement reflects a broader strengthening of ties between the two countries, particularly in areas such as people-to-people mobility, economic cooperation, and academic exchange. As part of this deepening partnership, both sides announced plans to simplify residency procedures for Moroccan and Ghanaian citizens, with the aim of eventually removing visa requirements altogether. Facilitating Mobility to Strengthen Cooperation In their joint statement, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to promoting tourism, trade, and economic development between Morocco and Ghana. They also expressed their intention to finalize a visa exemption agreement for holders of ordinary passports. In the interim, Minister Bourita announced the immediate implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorization to Morocco (ETAM) system for Ghanaian citizens, allowing them to obtain visas online within 24 hours. «We've agreed to make mobility easier for our citizens», said Minister Ablakwa during the press briefing. «Although there is already a direct air link between Ghana and Morocco, the visa has been the main barrier to trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchange. Now, with this new measure, that barrier is lifted. This will significantly boost tourism and trade, especially since Morocco is a very popular destination». Investing in Human Capital Through Academic Exchange Both countries also emphasized the importance of investing in human capital and strengthening academic and cultural exchanges. Minister Bourita announced that the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI) would increase the number of scholarships awarded to Ghanaian students from 90 to 140 annually, across various disciplines. «This is excellent news for us», said Ablakwa. «Our universities will also welcome Moroccan students, particularly those interested in English-language programs and African studies. We'll soon have a specific agreement in place to facilitate this academic cooperation». Economic and Agricultural Cooperation Ghana and Morocco also reaffirmed their economic partnership, which was initially cemented in 2017 during King Mohammed VI's visit to Accra through the signing of 25 cooperation agreements. According to Ablakwa, these agreements have already «greatly boosted bilateral trade». «We believe that a reciprocal visit would significantly strengthen our ties. Today's meeting lays the groundwork for a future meeting between the King and President John Dramani Mahama», he added. Looking ahead, the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture and food security, areas with strong economic potential for Africa. The partnership will focus on producing fertilizers tailored to local conditions, including soil types, climate, and staple crops. Ghana, the world's second-largest cocoa exporter, will be a key focus. «Ghana currently spends nearly $3 billion annually on food imports. Our new President is committed to reversing that trend», said Ablakwa. «Morocco's expertise in agriculture, agri-food, and fertilizer production gives it a clear advantage. Moroccan experts will soon collaborate with their Ghanaian counterparts to determine the best fertilizer type for our needs, starting with the cocoa sector, which is a vital crop for us». At the regional level, Minister Bourita praised Ghana's continued commitment to African integration, highlighting its active role in ECOWAS, its hosting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and its accession as a full member of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) in October 2024.
