The United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, has justified a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals involved in undermining democratic processes.
Ahead of the December 7 polls, the United States of America (USA) announced a new policy that will restrict US visas for any individual responsible for undermining democracy in the country.
The US Department of State, which issued the directive, explained that the visa restriction policy was pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and allowed the Department of State to implement visa restrictions for individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in undermining democracy in Ghana.
Such individuals, as explained in the statement, included persons who were undermining democracy “through the manipulation or rigging of the electoral process; the use of violence to intimidate, coerce or prevent people from exercising their rights to freedoms of association and peaceful assembly; the use of measures designed to intimidate, coerce or prevent political party representatives, voters or members of civil society or the media from voicing or disseminating their views.”
Speaking to the media during a US elections watch party in Accra, the Ambassador noted that Ghana is the fourth country in Africa where this restriction has been announced.
She explained that the policy had also been instituted in Europe and Latin America stressing that it is not directed at the government of Ghana.
“It’s not directed at the government of Ghana or particular political party, but we cannot just refuse visas but revoke visas for people who undermine or interfere with Ghana’s democratic process” the Ambassador noted.
H.E. Virginia Palmer said “I think it’s a very useful tool to have. I hope I don’t have to use it. I hope it will deter bad behaviour and hate speech. And I hope that I’ll call again for, you know, early signing of the peace pact.
Ambassador Palmer called for decorum ahead of the December polls adding that “it’s a tool we have available. You’ll see more of it around the world. Ghana’s not singled out, nor is the government of Ghana or any political party, but we are not afraid to use it if there are any parties, any people or parties, that undermine your democracy.”
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