Election on December 7: The United States will refuse visas to anyone who threatens Ghana’s democracy.

Election on December 7: The United States will refuse visas to anyone threatening Ghana’s democracy.

The US Department of State has stated that it is dedicated to promoting and assisting Ghana’s democratic transition.

Anthony J. Blinken, the secretary of state, said in a statement that the October 28-announced visa restriction policy will only be applied to those people who threaten democracy.

The statement clarified that neither the Ghanaian people nor the Ghanaian government are the target of the strategy.

“Anyone who is accountable for harming Ghanaian democracy will not be granted U.S. visas, according to a new policy announced today by the Department of State.

“Some family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions,” the statement continued. Under this policy, anybody who threaten Ghanaian democracy, particularly before, during, and after the country’s 2024 elections, may not be granted visas.

“Ghana has accomplished three decades of peaceful power transitions between parties and democratic elections—a record to be proud of and a model to aspire to.” The United States supports the aspirations of all Ghanaians for a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process that respects the will of the people, as seen by our willingness to restrict visas if necessary, Secretary of State Blinken wrote.

“This visa restriction policy is pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and allows the Department of State to implement visa restrictions for individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Ghana, including 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, members of civil society, or the media from voicing or dissequently expressing their opinions; or engaging in any other activity intended to improperly influence the conduct or outcome of an election,” the US Department of State added.