Ghana to Treat New British Visa Policy as a Rumour; Nigeria says Britain Acted Wrongly

Ghana's foreign ministry has stated categorically that it has not received any official notification from the British authorities over the latest visa policy. Ghana's foreign minister, Hannah Tetteh says the ministry is treating the report at best as a rumour.

The minister for foreign affairs in Nigeria, Olugbenga Ashiru also commented that Britain did not act in accordance with the rules. He said such a policy should not be out before official streamlining and agreement on it. That it was wrong for such to be disclosed first by the media. The minister appealed to Britain to review the policy.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has already vowed to defend the interests of Nigerians, following the introduction of the new visa policy by the British government. The policy requires Nigerians travelling to the United Kingdom to produce a cash bond of N730,000 (3,000 pounds, $4,600 or 3,500 euros) before they enter the UK.

The Sunday Times newspaper had reported that visitors from Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Ghana whose nationals are deemed to pose a “high risk” of immigration abuse will be required to produce the bond which they will forfeit if they overstay in Britain after their visas have expired.