The African Bar Association (AFBA) has commended the government of Ghana for its visa-free travel policy for all African passport holders.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the President of AFBA, Chief Ibrahim Eddy Mark, described the policy as a significant step toward achieving the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
AFBA highlighted the importance of this initiative, noting that it aligns with similar progressive measures already implemented by Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia, and Benin. The association called on other African nations to adopt this policy promptly to further the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
A statement dated January 14, 2025, referenced AFBA’s 2024 annual conference, held in Lusaka, Zambia, which concluded on October 30, 2024. The conference communiqué strongly advocated for visa-free travel across the continent as a means to foster unity and development.
Chief Mark emphasized the numerous benefits of a visa-free travel policy for African passport holders, stating, “We cannot make travel within Africa a nightmare for Africans and expect meaningful developmental progress.”
The statement further urged the African Union and gatherings of Heads of State and Government to prioritize the adoption of a continent-wide visa-free travel system. Such a policy, AFBA argued, would position Africa alongside regions like the Americas and Europe, where seamless travel supports economic and social development.
AFBA reiterated its stance that while regional visa-free travel initiatives are commendable, they fall short of the comprehensive approach needed for the continent’s growth and integration.