The Embassy of Ghana in Abu Dhabi has officially disregarded the claims that Ghanaian passport holders can immediately travel visa-free to the United Arab Emirates. 

In a statement issued Monday, the embassy said “though the agreement has been ratified by the Parliament of Ghana, the processes for its implementation have not been completed.”

The embassy has urged the public to disregard all publications and messages contrary to the information it has authorised, adding that it would communicate further changes to the general public. 

The visa-free deal between Ghana and the UAE involved a waiver agreement for diplomatic, service/special, and ordinary passport holders.

The deal was approved on August 5 following the adoption of the Foreign Affairs Committee Report on the Memorandum of Understanding between both countries.

Peoples Gazette had reported that the agreement is restricted to holders of diplomatic and other official passports whose background and conduct are in line with the public and state security apparatus.

The MOU covers visa regimes for both countries, which does not impose obligations to admit people considered to be of questionable character.

While waiver arrangements to facilitate the movement of diplomats and government officials are common practice, this one makes ordinary passport holders beneficiaries.