The Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) has issued a strong call to the government to urgently address severe visa delays at the Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C., which have left many international travellers stranded and tour operators in Ghana facing significant financial losses.

According to TOUGHA, a growing number of travellers, particularly African Americans and diaspora groups planning heritage and leisure trips to Ghana, have been unable to secure entry visas weeks after submitting their applications. In many cases, applicants’ passports remain locked up at the embassy, with little to no communication from consular officials.

The situation, TOUGHA says, is causing distress to tourists and tour operators alike. In a press statement signed by the union’s president, Yvonne Donkor, the group warned that the delays were undermining Ghana’s efforts to position itself as a premier heritage tourism destination and were damaging the country’s international reputation.

“This unfortunate situation has had a devastating impact on our members, especially during what should be the first major peak season of the year,” the statement said. “Massive tour cancellations, financial losses, and reputational damage are already being recorded.”

The union emphasised that tour operators had heavily invested in promoting Ghana to the diaspora, particularly in the United States, only to face widespread trip cancellations, disappointed clients, and unrecoverable costs associated with bookings, hotels, and logistics.

TOUGHA is calling for immediate intervention by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to clear the backlog at the Washington, D.C. embassy. The union is also advocating for:

  • The formation of an emergency task force to fast-track visa processing for travellers with imminent travel plans;
  • Direct communication between the embassy and affected travellers;
  • A systemic review of Ghana’s visa processing operations abroad; and
  • The introduction of digital options such as e-visas or broader visa-on-arrival policies.

“Ghana has earned global recognition as a welcoming destination for African American travellers and diaspora tourism. But that hard-won reputation is now at risk,” Mr Owusu stated. “We urge all relevant authorities to act swiftly and decisively. The damage to Ghana’s image and the tourism sector is mounting by the day, and the livelihoods of many Ghanaian businesses and workers are at stake.”

The union reiterated its commitment to promoting Ghana as a preferred destination but said it cannot continue to do so without stronger support from government agencies and foreign missions.