Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - ghana visa problems

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieWouldGo (Post 360310)

I got a Ghana visa in Ouagadougou's Ghanaian Embassy on the 9th December.

I applied on a Tuesday and got it on the Friday, but applications from all through the week were all stacked up for dispersal on the Friday (mid-morning).

To be allowed to apply I had to explain why I didn't get my visa in my home country, and then with the application form I was given a blank A4 piece of paper and told to fill it with my explanation.

That I have been on the road longer than the three month validity was reason enough, and I showed absolutely no evidence to support my claim (had only been in Africa two months if they checked my Morocco stamp).

Reasonable price at 17,700 CFA, and I met a hot French student while waiting there and got taken for lunch.

A Dutch friend still on the road got his at the Bamako embassy, but said he paid "too much" - likely he will write his experiences here when given the time and good internet.

Hope this info is useful to someone.

Oh, also I am a U.K. citizen if that's a relevant factor too.

Eddie.

Hi folks

Have just returned from the Ghana Embassy in Ouaga (staying at Pavillion Vert Hotel) and can confirm the above. Had a very smug visa official chortle his way through our application before telling us that we cant apply for a Ghana visa as non residents of Burkina. We were offered a blank bit of paper to explain our reasons for not getting a visa in our home countries (Ireland). We had last week actually spoken to staff at the Ghana embassy in Bamako who advised that we can get visas at the border (he actually phoned the ambassador to verify this). We (mistakenly) took this advice as gospel and took off as we did not want to wait an extra 5 days in Bamako waiting for our application to be processed there. To add insult to injury the official in Ouaga 'suggested' that a $200 fee 'might' speed up things in our favour. While well versed with the murky world of West African corrupt officialdom at this stage in our trip 200 bucks even made our jaws drop. Currently nursing a beer and trying to decide whether to heed the advice of the Ghana officials in Mali and make a break for the border and risk being turned away or return to the Ouaga embassy with our tails between our legs and 'try again'. Togo at the moment is looking very attractive!

Anyone have any recent Ghana border visa success stories to share?