Ghana and St. Kitts and Nevis have signed a visa exemption agreement for holders of ordinary passports, marking a significant step in efforts to deepen diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.
The agreement was signed on March 4 at Jubilee House in Accra during a three-day official visit by the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis,Terrance Micheal Drew. He is in Ghana to participate in the country’s 69th Independence Day celebrations.
Prime Minister Drew was welcomed with a ceremonial parade at the seat of government before holding bilateral talks with President John Dramani Mahama . Discussions between the two leaders focused on strengthening cooperation in health, tourism, education and cultural exchange.
President Mahama described the visit as a reinforcement of Ghana’s commitment to South-South cooperation. For Prime Minister Drew, the trip represents both a reconnection with ancestral roots and admiration for President Mahama’s leadership.
During the visit, the two leaders signed three memoranda of understanding, including the establishment of a political consultation mechanism between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Government of the Republic of St. Kitts and Nevis. They also formalised the visa exemption agreement for holders of ordinary passports and concluded a bilateral labour agreement.
President Mahama explained that the new arrangement extends the 2018 visa waiver agreement, which previously applied only to holders of diplomatic and service passports.
“I’ve agreed to extend our 2018 visa waiver agreement. This was previously applicable to holders of only diplomatic and service passports. Now this extension includes holders of ordinary passports,” he said.
He added that Ghana stands in solidarity with St. Kitts and Nevis in advocating for climate justice, equitable access to climate finance and reforms to global financial institutions to better reflect the realities of developing nations.
Prime Minister Drew, for his part, highlighted ongoing cooperation in the health sector. He noted that several Ghanaian nurses have recently begun working in St. Kitts and Nevis and have been warmly received.
“We have a scarcity of health care professionals. We already have a number of Ghanaian nurses who have come to St. Kitts and Nevis within the last three to four weeks. They are well received and well trained, and the people have welcomed them. I’ve been asked to request more Ghanaian nurses,” he said.
President Mahama later hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting Prime Minister, underscoring the growing partnership between the two nations.
