Ghana and St Kitts and Nevis have signed a visa exemption agreement covering holders of ordinary passports, marking a significant expansion of travel access between the two countries.

The new arrangement replaces an earlier 2018 agreement that applied only to holders of diplomatic and service passports.

The agreement was signed at the Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday, March 4, by President John Dramani Mahama and Prime Minister Dr Terrance Michael Drew, as part of his four-day State Visit to Ghana.

In addition to the visa exemption deal, the two leaders also signed a Bilateral Labour Agreement to facilitate the recruitment of Ghanaian medical professionals to St Kitts and Nevis, a twin-island nation in the Caribbean.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, President Mahama described the extension of the visa waiver to ordinary passport holders as a “practical and transformative step” that will deepen ties between the two nations.

He said the move would significantly facilitate tourism, trade, business exchanges, and strengthen people-to-people connections.

“Ghana and Saint Kitts and Nevis have agreed to extend our 2018 visa waiver agreement. This was previously applicable only to holders of diplomatic and service passports. The extension now includes holders of ordinary passports,” he said.

According to him, the decision reflects growing trust and cooperation between the two countries and signals a shared commitment to expanding economic and social relations.

President Mahama also disclosed that discussions are ongoing to establish structured labour mobility arrangements between the two countries.

He indicated that Ghana is prepared, where appropriate, to support St Kitts and Nevis with skilled professionals, including nurses, teachers and other technical experts, under mutually beneficial frameworks.

The accompanying Bilateral Labour Agreement is expected to formalise the recruitment of Ghanaian medical professionals to help address workforce needs in the Caribbean state.

Beyond mobility and labour, President Mahama said both countries have identified key sectors for deeper collaboration.

These include tourism development, climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, blue economy initiatives, heritage promotion and cultural industries.

The agreements mark a further step in strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between Ghana and St Kitts and Nevis, as both nations seek to leverage South-South cooperation to drive development and shared prosperity.