Ghana’s efforts to attract more international tourists could be undermined by the country’s relatively high e-visa fee, tourism stakeholders have warned.
The concern was raised during the 2026 World Tourism Day celebration in Koforidua, where industry players called on the government to review the $260 e-visa charge as part of measures to make Ghana more competitive in the international tourism market.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hausa Tours, Fuseini Nawaru, said the cost of obtaining a Ghanaian visa was considerably higher than entry fees charged by several tourism destinations in Africa and the Caribbean.
Speaking to Starr News on the sidelines of the celebration, Mr. Nawaru said visa charges had become an important consideration for international travellers assessing the total cost of visiting a destination.
He cited Kenya, where visas cost about $30, while Tanzania and Rwanda charge around $50. Other countries he mentioned include Benin at $50, Ethiopia at $52, Cape Verde at $33, Côte d’Ivoire at $73, Senegal at $54, Zambia between $25 and $50, and Zimbabwe at about $30.
Nigeria, he said, charges approximately $50 to $100 depending on the visa category.
Mr. Nawaru also pointed to visa-free arrangements and relatively lower entry costs in some Caribbean destinations, arguing that Ghana could lose potential visitors to countries offering cheaper and more accessible entry arrangements.
He therefore urged the government to reconsider the current e-visa fee, saying a more competitive visa regime could contribute to higher tourist arrivals and increased revenue for businesses across the tourism value chain.
According to him, attracting more visitors could also create employment opportunities and strengthen Ghana’s position as a leading tourism destination in West Africa.
Digital tourism must create jobs
The call for a review of the visa regime comes as the government seeks to accelerate digital transformation within the tourism sector.
The 2026 World Tourism Day celebration was held under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, said Ghana’s emerging digital tourism economy must translate into practical economic opportunities for young people and local businesses.
She identified young entrepreneurs, women producing traditional crafts, tour guides, small hotel operators, food vendors, photographers, musicians and community tourism operators among those who could benefit from greater digital integration in the sector.
Madam Gomashie also called for increased investment in skills development to equip tourism workers with expertise in hospitality, customer service, digital marketing, content creation and online customer engagement.
She identified customer service as one of the key weaknesses in Ghana’s tourism industry and urged the Ghana Tourism Authority and industry associations to make service delivery a major component of their training programmes.
The Minister said Ghana’s traditional culture could itself provide lessons in customer service, particularly the respect traditionally accorded to elders.
Government cautions against losing Ghanaian identity to AI
On artificial intelligence, Madam Gomashie said technology should be used to improve productivity, creativity and service delivery rather than simply replace workers.
She also called for responsible adoption of AI, including stronger safeguards for personal data and cybersecurity.
Madam Gomashie stressed that digitalisation should not undermine the authenticity of Ghanaian culture.
“Our various cultures must become our products. Technology should help us tell our stories, but those stories must remain authentic and rooted in our people, our history, our values and our identity.”
Eastern Region showcases tourism potential
The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, said the World Tourism Day theme underscored the need for Ghana to move beyond simply promoting tourist attractions to effectively managing the entire visitor experience.
She noted that the Ghana Tourism Authority launched the Ghana Tourism Information System in May 2026 as part of efforts to accelerate digital transformation in the tourism sector.
The Eastern Region hosted this year’s World Tourism Day activities alongside the ongoing Eastern Expo, which brought together tourism operators, businesses, investors, policymakers and exhibitors to showcase products and explore investment opportunities.
The discussions have placed Ghana’s visa regime, digital transformation, service quality and cultural authenticity at the centre of efforts to expand the country’s tourism economy.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
