Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has confirmed that the United States has issued an official warning to the Ghanaian government over the country’s growing student visa overstay rate, which has now reached 21%, far exceeding the U.S. State Department’s 15% threshold. The caution comes amid rising concerns in Washington over immigration compliance among international students. According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Ghana ranks among the countries with the highest rates of student visa violations, a trend that could trigger punitive actions, including restrictions on new visa issuances.
Speaking at a press briefing on June 26 in Accra, Minister Ablakwa emphasized the seriousness of the matter. “This is a red flag that we cannot ignore. If this trend continues, we risk facing a U.S. visa ban or a significant tightening of entry requirements for our citizens,” he warned. Ablakwa urged Ghanaian students and prospective travelers to strictly observe the terms of their visas, not just for the United States but for all destination countries, stressing that non-compliance undermines Ghana’s international reputation. “We must recognize that our individual actions abroad have national implications,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Ghanaian government has initiated high-level diplomatic discussions with U.S. authorities to address the issue and explore possible remedies, including public education campaigns and closer monitoring of visa compliance through local embassies. Despite the stern warning, Ghana remains hopeful that its longstanding partnership with the U.S., which spans areas such as education, health, and security, will pave the way for a diplomatic solution that averts broad travel restrictions.
