President Mahama opens up on what Ghana gave to get US visa restrictions reversed

President John Dramani Mahama has given details of the negotiations that led to the reversal of visa restrictions placed on Ghana by the United States of America (USA) government, under President Donald Trump. Speaking at the commissioning of new ambassadors on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Mahama categorically stated that no money was exchanged in the negotiations.

He indicated that one of the agreements in the deal was that Ghana would tackle the issue of its citizens overstaying their visas. “Many of you are aware that Ghana became the only country subject to US visa restrictions to secure a complete reversal from the Trump administration.

Let me state clearly that this outcome was negotiated in Ghana's best interest. “One of the key points in our negotiation with the US authorities was our agreement to address the issue of overstayers who travel on student visas and others who travel as part of official government delegations — these are people who go and instead of coming back, they decide to stay.

So, they have the record. When they draw the threshold and you are above it, then they cancel your five-year visas and bring you to B5, B3.

So, we gave assurances that we'll work with them to make sure that our people are not overstaying,” he explained. US reverses visa restrictions on Ghana; five-year multiple entry visas restored The president, therefore, urged Ghanaians to ensure that they leave the US upon the expiration of their visas because their failure to do so only hurts the country.

“So those of you applying for visas, please, when you go, come back, because you affect everybody else. And let me also emphasise that there was no financial consideration as part of the understanding between Ghana and the United States,” he reiterated.

Although the president did not state that the deal included Ghana receiving some African deportees from the US, he assured that it would not hurt Ghana in any way. “I wish to assure my countrymen and women that our understanding with the US does not undermine our sovereignty, security or stability.

Ghana will not, and I repeat, will not become a dumping ground for deportees, nor will we accept individuals with criminal backgrounds,” he stated. BAI/VPO Mixed reactions greet DStv package upgrades Mamponteng Chief drags Prophet Roja to court for saying 'he would die soon'

Source: GhanaWeb