Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has joined calls for a visa-free Africa, urging the continent to remove barriers that limit mobility, trade, and educational recognition for African youth.
Speaking at the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogues on Friday, February 6, Mr Ayariga highlighted the benefits of visa-free travel in West Africa and called for similar policies to be extended continent-wide.
We want visa-free Africa. I have seen how a visa-free West Africa has helped enormously. We want open African skies. We want one African biometric passport. Let’s build the infrastructure that will enable our youth to trade digitally across borders, to have their mobile money operate across borders. Our youth want their degrees recognised across the continent,” he said.
He noted that while significant progress has been made within regional blocs, more work is needed to integrate these initiatives across Africa.
“A lot of progress is being made, especially across West Africa. A lot of the calls we are making here are being enjoyed across the regional blocs. I believe what is needed now is for the various blocs to integrate those facilities and let all Africans enjoy them at the same time,” he added.
Mr Ayariga further assured that Ghana’s parliament is prepared to support the initiative through legislation
“Our parliament stands ready to walk the talk. We are ready to pass the laws and grant visa-free status to every African,” he stated.
Source:CNR