The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has called on other Western democracies to adopt the United States’ approach of denying visas to individuals who undermine democracy in Ghana.
Braimah welcomed the recent visa restrictions announced by the US government.
He stated on his X platform, “The announced US visa restrictions policy against individuals who undermine democracy in Ghana is a welcome development. Every nation should use its soft power to help protect democracy. I urge other Western democratic nations to follow suit, including measures like freezing assets.”
The U.S. Department of State reaffirmed its commitment to supporting democracy in Ghana.
Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken’s statement revealed that the visa restriction policy, announced on October 28, would specifically target individuals who undermine democratic processes, not the Ghanaian populace or government.
“The Department of State is announcing a new visa restriction policy today that will restrict U.S. visas for any individual responsible for undermining democracy in Ghana.
This policy will take effect ahead of Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7, 2024,” the statement outlined.
It also noted that family members of those individuals might be affected by these restrictions. Individuals found to have undermined democracy in Ghana during the lead-up to, during, and after the 2024 elections—could be deemed ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy.
Blinken emphasized, “Ghana has achieved three decades of democratic elections and a peaceful transfer of power—an impressive record that deserves to be cherished.
The United States’ readiness to impose visa restrictions when necessary demonstrates our support for the aspirations of all Ghanaians for a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process that reflects the people’s will.”
The U.S. Department of State highlighted that this visa restriction policy is in accordance with Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, allowing the imposition of visa restrictions on individuals believed to be responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Ghana.
This includes manipulation or rigging of elections, using violence to intimidate voters, and engaging in activities aimed at improperly influencing election outcomes.
