Renowned radio and television personality Isaac Owusu Ansah (OPD) of Adom FM has raised concerns over visa denials affecting Ghana’s entertainment sector.
Speaking to BEATWAVES, OPD revealed that many hardworking Ghanaian artists invited to perform in European countries have been denied visas by some embassies in Ghana, for reasons known only to the embassies.
He said he has engaged with several embassies and High Commissions regarding numerous complaints from music stakeholders about the treatment of Ghanaian citizens applying for visas at foreign missions in Accra.
“The complaints include issues such as inadequate waiting areas, lack of emergency services, long waiting times for appointments, and difficulties navigating visa application websites,” OPD explained.
He also claimed that many musicians and event organizers have been blacklisted by embassies and High Commissions, preventing them from traveling to Europe and the USA for up to ten years.
According to OPD, only a few music industry professionals currently have access to travel to Europe and America for performances.
While the embassies have yet to respond to these claims, OPD appealed to them to reconsider and grant visas to Ghanaian musicians invited for international shows in Europe and the USA.