Ghana’s Democratic Integrity Protected: U.S. Enforces Visa Restrictions on Election Manipulators

Anticipation of Ghana’s December 7, 2024, presidential and parliamentary elections, the U.S. Department of State has introduced new visa restrictions aimed at individuals involved in disrupting democratic processes.

The policy, unveiled on Monday, October 28, enforces travel restrictions to the U.S. on anyone found responsible for actions that compromise Ghana’s democratic integrity.

Invoking Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, the State Department clarified that the policy specifically targets certain individuals without extending to the broader Ghanaian population or government.

The U.S. commended Ghana’s track record of peaceful transitions over the last three decades, emphasizing the country’s democratic accomplishments.

By implementing these visa restrictions, Washington seeks to support Ghanaians’ call for a transparent, fair, and peaceful election process. This measure reflects the U.S.’s dedication to global democratic principles and its firm stance against electoral manipulation and violence.

The restrictions address actions such as voter intimidation, violence, interference in freedom of assembly, or any attempts to improperly influence the election’s outcome. Relatives of those involved in such actions may also be subject to visa limitations.

With this policy, the U.S. signals its resolve to protect democratic integrity, warning that individuals found attempting to undermine Ghana’s elections may face visa consequences before, during, or after the 2024 elections.