Accra, July 23, GNA – The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations on Migration in Ghana (CCMG) has urged the Government to expedite ratification of the African Union (AU) Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment ahead of President John Dramani Mahama’s assumption of the AU Chairmanship in 2027.
The Coalition said early ratification would build on Ghana’s visa-free entry policy for African Union citizens, deepen regional integration, advance the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and reinforce Ghana’s leadership in promoting continental mobility.
It also commended President Mahama for granting visa-free entry to citizens of all African Union member states, describing the policy as a major milestone towards African integration and a foundation for implementing the AU free movement agenda.
Mr Eric Peasah, Convener of the CCMG, said in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency that ratifying the Protocol was the logical next step following Ghana’s adoption of the visa-free entry policy for all AU member states.
He said formal ratification would further consolidate Ghana’s leadership in regional integration and strengthen continental mobility.
The statement commended President Mahama and the Government for introducing visa-free entry for citizens of all 54 AU member states, effective May 25, 2026.
It described the decision as “the mark of a visionary leader committed to the continental unity envisioned by Dr Kwame Nkrumah,” adding that it reaffirmed Ghana’s historic role as the “Black Star” of Pan-Africanism.
According to the Coalition, Ghana’s position as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat made the transition to a visa-free regime “a decisive step toward success.”
The statement said removing the bureaucratic and documentary requirements associated with traditional visa applications would ease the financial and administrative burden on cross-border traders.
It said the policy would also reduce vulnerabilities to extortion at border posts, strengthen the social and economic bonds of continental unity and uphold the dignity of Africans travelling within the continent.
The CCMG, a network of more than 34 organisations dedicated to migration governance, migrants’ rights protection and regional mobility, said it remained committed to promoting socio-economic development through safe and orderly migration.
It noted that through its “whole-of-society” approach, it had consistently championed the AU Free Movement Protocol across Africa and united 70 migration-focused organisations behind the advocacy.
The Coalition recalled that its National Dialogue in August 2025, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), GIZ and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), underscored the urgency of seamless regional mobility.
“In light of President Mahama’s endorsement as West Africa’s candidate for the AU Chairmanship in 2027, CCMG believes there is no better time for Ghana to lead by example,” the statement said.
The Coalition therefore called on the Government to ratify the AU Protocol before Ghana assumes the African Union Chairmanship.
It said ratification would make Ghana the fifth AU member state to adopt the Protocol fully while strengthening President Mahama’s legacy as a champion of African transformation.
The CCMG pledged its readiness to provide technical support and advocacy to facilitate the ratification process.
“The Coalition remains committed to partnering with the Government of Ghana to ensure that African mobility is treated as a fundamental right and that the rights of all migrants are protected across borders,” it said.
The Coalition reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Government and regional partners to promote safe, orderly and regular migration across Africa, stressing that deeper continental integration required sustained political commitment and effective implementation of existing AU frameworks.
GNA
Edited by D.I. Laary/ Audrey Dekalu