The United States has lifted visa restrictions on Ghana, restoring access to five-year multiple-entry visas following months of strained diplomatic relations over deportation disputes.

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, confirmed the development on Friday, noting that the breakthrough came after “high-level negotiations” and was officially communicated during bilateral talks with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, at the UN General Assembly in New York.

“This good news means Ghanaians can now benefit from five-year visas and other enhanced consular privileges. I am pleased that our efforts have finally paid off,” Ablakwa wrote on X.

The move reverses a US policy earlier this year that reduced visa validity for Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ethiopia to just three months, single entry. Washington said at the time that the restrictions were part of a reciprocity programme and tied to frustrations over countries’ refusal to accept deported migrants.

Unlike Nigeria, which rejected US requests to accept Venezuelan deportees, Ghana softened its stance. In September, President John Mahama revealed that his government had agreed to process West African nationals—including Nigerians—deported from the US, a concession that helped thaw relations.

On Saturday, the US embassy in Accra confirmed the restoration of visa validity. “The maximum validity allowed for the B1/B2 visitor visa is again five years, multiple entry. The maximum validity for the F1 student visa is again four years, multiple entry,” the embassy said.

The decision is expected to boost travel, trade, and educational exchanges between the two nations after months of diplomatic tension.