Ghana and Saint Kitts and Nevis have reached a new visa waiver agreement that now covers holders of ordinary passports, widening travel access between the two countries.
The latest arrangement replaces a 2018 deal that only applied to travellers with diplomatic and service passports.
The agreement was signed at Jubilee House on Wednesday, March 4, by John Dramani Mahama and Terrance Michael Drew, who is currently in Ghana on a four-day state visit.
Alongside the visa exemption arrangement, the two leaders also endorsed a Bilateral Labour Agreement aimed at facilitating the recruitment of Ghanaian medical professionals to the Caribbean twin-island state.
Addressing officials after the signing ceremony, President Mahama said expanding the visa waiver to include ordinary passport holders represents a meaningful step toward strengthening relations between the two countries.
He noted that the decision would make it easier for citizens of Ghana and Saint Kitts and Nevis to travel, while also boosting tourism, trade, business engagements and cultural interaction.
“Ghana and Saint Kitts and Nevis have agreed to extend our 2018 visa waiver agreement. This was previously applicable only to holders of diplomatic and service passports. The extension now includes holders of ordinary passports,” he said.
President Mahama explained that the move demonstrates the deepening trust and cooperation between the two states and highlights a shared interest in strengthening economic and social ties.
He further revealed that both governments are exploring structured labour mobility programmes that could allow Ghanaian professionals to work in St Kitts and Nevis under mutually beneficial arrangements.
According to him, Ghana is ready, where appropriate, to support the Caribbean nation with skilled workers such as nurses, teachers and other technical professionals.
The accompanying labour agreement is expected to formalise the recruitment of Ghanaian health workers to help address staffing gaps within St Kitts and Nevis’ medical sector.
Beyond labour mobility, the two countries also identified several areas where cooperation could be expanded, including tourism development, climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, blue economy initiatives, heritage promotion and the growth of cultural industries.
The agreements are expected to further strengthen diplomatic and economic relations between Ghana and St Kitts and Nevis as both countries seek to deepen South-South cooperation for shared development.
ALSO READ:
