Ghana Bans Group Visa Applications for Chinese Nationals

Ghana has banned group visa applications for Chinese nationals in a bid to curb illegal gold mining (image source)

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a revision to its visa processing rules for Chinese nationals, effective immediately. Group visa applications will no longer be accepted at Ghana’s embassy in Beijing or its consulate in Guangzhou, as part of broader efforts to crack down on illegal small-scale gold mining, known locally as galamsey.

“There is a strict directive: no more group processing of visas,” Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa told delegates at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on September 15.

Under the new measures, any Chinese national seeking entry—whether for business, conferences, tourism, or academic exchanges—must apply and appear for an interview in person. The change is designed to prevent organised groups from entering Ghana to engage in unauthorised mining activities, which have devastated river systems and arable land in several regions.

According to the Minister, a small but persistent number of Chinese nationals have been implicated in environmental offences. While he stressed that “there is no official China-Ghana policy to destroy our environment,” Ablakwa said the government will continue to arrest and prosecute offenders.

Ghana and China enjoy robust diplomatic and economic ties, with Chinese firms involved in infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing projects nationwide. Nonetheless, the galamsey crisis has prompted Accra to tighten visa controls without jeopardising legitimate investment.

“We have very great relations with China,” Ablakwa added. “To be fair, many Chinese investors are contributing positively to Ghana’s development. These visa reforms target only those who flout our laws.”

Conference organisers, study tour operators, and corporate delegations must now adjust schedules to account for individual interviews. Travel agencies warn of longer processing times and potential delays, especially for high-volume events.

“We anticipate initial backlogs as applicants acclimatise to the new regime,” said Lydia Mensah, Director of Accra Travel Services. “But this will enhance transparency and help authorities screen out illicit actors.”

Illegal gold mining has plagued Ghana for over a decade. Estimates suggest that roughly 30 percent of small-scale mining concessions nationwide operate without permits, causing toxic runoff and sedimentation in watercourses. In response, Parliament passed the Ghana Gold Board Bill in April 2025, centralising artisanal gold regulation under the new GoldBod authority.

Prior to these reforms, Chinese nationals could apply in groups of five or more, a loophole exploited by criminal syndicates. The shift to individual processing aligns Ghana with international best practices in visa security and anti-money-laundering measures.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with its Chinese counterparts to streamline interview logistics and share intelligence on suspected offenders. Accra has also invited experts from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to develop uniform visa-security standards across the region.

Analysts say the success of this policy will depend on consistent enforcement and interagency coordination among immigration, environmental protection, and law enforcement bodies.