File photo of some tourist sites in Ghana
In simple words, reciprocity means “tit for tat”, or “I will treat you the way you treat me”.In official language, reciprocity means: permitting the application of the legal effects of specific relationships in law when these same effects are accepted equally by foreign countries.
Others will explain it as the right to equality and mutual respect between states
So far, for the official and simplified explanation. Now let’s see what the differences and realities are and what the effects of reciprocity are to position Ghana as a tourist destination.
A Ghanaian traveling to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union and other – mostly developed countries – has to fulfill the following requirements:
I. Fill, complete and sign a visa form and show proof of payment, have a valid passport, submit a passport picture.
II. Have a travel insurance, submit proof of accommodation, submit a travel itinerary, show a round-trip ticket, submit proof of financial means, show supportive documents related to the purpose of stay and evidence of intention to return.
III. Provide an original copy of a birth certificate, previous passports, evidence of social ties, marriage certificate, salary slips, employment letter stating terms and monthly income, tax clearance certificates, proof of active business and any other document that the officer of the country we wish to visit deems necessary for your applications.
Equal application of rules:Because of reciprocity, the Government of Ghana applies almost the same rules for every visitor/tourist from developed countries who want to visit Ghana. Because we Ghana and Ghanaians deserve to be respected or treated the same way as the embassies of developed countries treat us.
Based upon equal treatment human rights, I think what Ghana demands: to be treated with equal respect (and I mean treated with respect 100%) but let’s look at the daily reality.
How many tourists or visitors from the earlier mentioned countries are overstaying, moving, or at least trying to move illegally to Ghana? How many Ghanaians have overstayed their visas and/or disappeared completely in the countries they visited?
Many developed European countries have been overflowed by asylum and greener pastures seekers illegally crossing land borders but many others have been hiding under the disguise of being tourists.
The story is not different in the USA and Canada. I recently read that the number of overstaying and disappearing Ghanaians in the USA has risen above the number of Nigerians overstaying their visas.That puts the visa abuse of Ghanaians at a level more than six times higher than the most populous African country Nigeria.
Should we be surprise that developed countries treat Ghanaian visitors as “suspects” who will try to establish themselves in their country?Let’s get to the effects of reciprocity on the Ghanaian tourism industry.
Tourists are going on holidays for relaxation and want to avoid problems and stress.The Western or modern tourists are getting more and more interested in visiting new countries around the world because they are looking for new, safe and affordable and adventures destinations and Ghana could profit from this trend.
In my opinion, Africa always has a magical sound to Europeans looking for adventure.But actually they are looking for safe and hassle free adventure (is that even adventurous?).South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, Kenya, Zanzibar, Tanzania and many other countries either allow visa free, visa on arrival or E-visa for tourists of most developed countries and forget about reciprocity in the interest of their tourism sector.
But not Ghana, with the exception of one month last year, we allow specific groups of tourists to travel to Ghana and obtain visas on arrival.
I started writing this article on the day our new government and President are settling down in office, and I pray that Ghana will drop its pride concerning reciprocity and will allow every tourist visa free entrance to Ghana, just like we did for travelers holding an African passport.
I am sure this simple step will have a larger effect on the development of Ghana as a tourist destination than many successful and less successful efforts of our Ghana Tourism Authority to promote tourism in Ghana.
But who am I, Just a Concerned Ghanaian; Nico van Stallone Nico is a graduate of the Hotel School of Amsterdam with majors in tourism, service and marketing with over 40 years experience in Tourism and Hospitality sector in the Netherlands, Ghana, Germany, France and South Africa, where he operated hotels, lodges restaurants and guesthouses.