The Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) has welcomed the government’s introduction of the Electronic Visa (e-Visa) system, describing it as a major step toward modernising Ghana’s travel and tourism sector.

In a statement issued by its President, Seth Ocran, GHATOF said the initiative reflects government’s commitment to improving travel processes and positioning Ghana as a key destination for visitors and investors.

The Federation said it “warmly and unreservedly commends the Government of Ghana” for the policy, adding that it is “a bold, forward-looking, and highly commendable policy decision.”

It also praised the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for his role in the rollout, noting that the system would reduce “bureaucratic friction” and improve the visitor experience.

However, GHATOF raised concerns about the cost of the e-Visa, warning that it could limit the policy’s impact on tourism growth.

The Federation said it had received “substantial and growing feedback from international source markets” across Europe, North America, Asia and Africa, indicating that the current pricing structure may be a barrier to increased arrivals.

GHATOF clarified that its concern was not about visa fees in principle but the “current fee quantum,” adding that a review could help attract more visitors and generate higher long-term revenue.

It called on government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, to review the pricing framework, suggesting that fees should be designed to “encourage high visitor volumes rather than to extract maximum per-visitor revenue.”

The Federation also recommended consideration of differentiated fee tiers based on visit purpose, duration, and visa category, and urged that the broader economic impact on tourism-related sectors be taken into account.

GHATOF said it remains ready to work with government and relevant agencies to support the implementation and refinement of the system.

It reiterated its support for the e-Visa initiative, describing it as a strong foundation for Ghana’s ambition to become a leading tourism destination.