Gyakye Quayson pushes for refundable visa fees to shield travellers

Deputy Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, has criticised the high and non-refundable visa fees charged by foreign embassies in Ghana, describing them as exploitative and unjust, especially for young African travellers.

Speaking during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on July 25, 2025, Mr. Gyakye Quayson expressed concern that many embassies, particularly those of Western nations, are profiting from visa applications while denying a significant number of applicants without offering any form of refund.

“These so-called advanced countries are effectively locking out our people, a single visa application can cost about $160 equivalent to one or two months’ wages for many young Africans. And yet, 90 to 95 percent of them are denied visas without reimbursement,” he said.

Mr. Quayson argued that visa fees have become a hidden revenue stream for foreign missions operating in Africa.

“Many of these embassies rely on the fees they collect from visa applicants to fund their operations. People assume these are wealthy countries funding their embassies, but in reality, much of that cost is covered by the money they take from our citizens,” he stated.

He stressed the need for a diplomatic push to review and reform such policies, which he believes place an unfair financial burden on Ghanaians and other Africans.

“I will work closely with the Minister, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to explore diplomatic avenues for change. Foreign policy should not only serve the interests of other nations, it must also protect and promote the interests of our own people,” he concluded.