Press Attache’ at the US Embassy in Ghana, Sarah Stealy has clarified that Ghana’s three living former presidents would not have to queue with fellow citizens in search of American Visas for non-official purposes.
This follows US Ambassador Robert Jackson’s meeting with Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee last week where he indicated that the US government had withdrawn protocol visa allocation to high-level state officials.
Sarah Stealy explained that even though they would have to appear in person at the embassy, diplomatic courtesies would still be extended to Ghana’s Former Presidents who embark on personal visits.
“Under US law, anybody seeking a non immigrant visa to travel to the United States generally need to appear in person for an interview with the Consular Officer. That has been the law. Under the law there are also a few exceptions under which the interview may be raised and that includes when diplomats and officials are travelling on official business to the United States but under the law if they are applying for a new visa for personal travel then they may appear in person for the interview. If there are special circumstances such as a former President coming in and the Ambassador mentioned this, that we have procedures to ensure that we extend courtesies to them. They don’t have to queue up,” she explained.
Hans Mensah Andoh
