The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has undertaken surprise working visits to more than 20 visa application centres in the country to assess the conditions under which Ghanaian applicants access visa services.
The exercise was aimed at obtaining first-hand information on the quality of consular services, including waiting arrangements, appointment periods and the general experience of visa applicants.
The visit followed a directive issued by the minister after he assumed office for embassies and high commissions operating in the country to improve their consular services and ensure that applicants were treated with dignity and respect.
Speaking to journalists after the visit in Accra on Monday, October 5, Mr Ablakwa said a majority of the missions had improved their services; however, there were still some areas that required attention.
“I have noticed since then that there has been some improvement, but I decided today to carry out these field visits to see for myself directly what the latest situation was because whereas others appeared to have improved, others seemed to be backsliding,” he said.
He said the ministry was interested in ensuring that applicants had convenient waiting areas and did not have to endure unnecessarily long periods before securing appointments.
He said the ministry would use observations from the field visits to engage the affected missions and encourage improvements in their service delivery.
Student visas
The Foreign Minister also mentioned concerns over delays in appointments for students seeking visas to pursue studies abroad.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (right), Minister of Foreign Affairs, interacting with some visa applicants at the application centre. Picture: ELVIS NII NOI DOWUONA
He said his office had received several petitions from students whose academic years had already begun but who were still waiting for visa appointments after paying school fees and other deposits.
The Foreign Minister said the financial commitments involved in studying abroad could run into thousands of dollars, pounds or euros, making delays difficult for students and their families.
“Universities have opened, and the academic year has begun, and then students are stranded.
They don’t know their fate. Parents have paid fees. Parents have paid all of these deposits, and the frustration is just not acceptable,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa added that although foreign missions had the sovereign authority to decide whether or not to grant visas, applicants should be given an opportunity to have their applications considered.
He said timely appointments would also enable applicants whose visas were not granted to make alternative arrangements, including seeking deferment, refunds where applicable or pursuing other educational opportunities.
Continuous engagement
The minister said the surprise visits would continue as the ministry sought to promote improvements in consular services.
He said the ministry would continue engaging international partners while maintaining the country’s cordial relations with other nations.
Mr Ablakwa also encouraged members of the public to continue sharing their experiences with the ministry, as such feedback from visa applicants would help promote accountability and transparency and provide useful information for improving the quality of consular services.
The minister said the countries also expected their diplomatic missions abroad to provide courteous and respectful services to foreign nationals, adding that the principle should apply equally to Ghanaian applicants seeking services from foreign missions in the country.
