By Cecilia Chiluba,Zambia, Lusaka
Ghana and Zambia have signed a landmark visa-waiver agreement allowing citizens of both countries to travel freely without the need for visas, marking a major step toward deeper bilateral cooperation and the free movement of people in Africa.
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama announced the development on Thursday Lusaka, during his address to Zambia’s Parliament, where he described the move as a concrete outcome of historic solidarity between the two countries.
President Mahama said the visa-free arrangement applies to all categories of passport holders, meaning Zambians can now travel to Ghana without a visa and Ghanaians can do the same when visiting Zambia.
“As of this afternoon when signatures were appended, Zambians do not need a visa to go to Ghana and vice versa. This is an important step towards the free movement of our people on the African continent,” President Mahama stated.
The visa-waiver agreement is one of 10 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed under the revitalized Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation, which provides a structured framework for collaboration between the two countries in priority sectors including trade, investment, energy, tourism, mining, agriculture, education, science and technology, youth development and defence.
The Ghanaian leader said the agreement reflects the enduring Pan-African bonds between Ghana and Zambia, rooted in their shared liberation history and commitment to African unity.
“Our friendship remains grounded in mutual respect, shared democratic values and a common aspiration for peace, development and African dignity,” he added.
He noted that visa-free travel will help boost trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people exchange.
President Mahama stated that the responsibility of the current generation of African leaders is to transform historic political solidarity into tangible economic and social benefits for citizens.
He also hailed Zambia’s macroeconomic reforms and improved currency performance, describing the country as a natural partner for deeper economic cooperation, particularly in mining, agriculture, energy and manufacturing.
“The improved performance of the Zambian currency, the Kwacha, and the ongoing reform agenda sends positive signals to investors and regional partners. And so, Ghana looks forward to deepening trade, investment, and financial cooperation with Zambia,” he stated.
In his address, President Mahama stressed the need for the African continent to transition from historic political solidarity into a new era of economic sovereignty and self-reliance.
He said Africa should move away from triple dependency—the reliance on foreign actors for security, aid, and raw material exports—proposing instead that the Continent must leverage its natural resources through local value addition and industrialization.
“We have the know-how, the technology and capital are available and indigenous companies must be encouraged to participate in the extractive and mining sectors. We must support our indigenous private sector to capture the commanding heights of our economies,” President Mahama said.
President Mahama is in Zambia, for a three-day state visit at the invitation of his Zambian counterpart, Hakainde Hichilema.
