Africa-Press – Ghana. The United States Embassy in Accra has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering improved consular services while maintaining strict compliance with U.S. immigration laws.
The Embassy said it would continue to offer efficient and friendly services while serving as the first line of defence against visa fraud and illegal immigration.
This was revealed during the first-ever Consular Media Day held at the U.S. Embassy, where journalists were given an exclusive tour of the Consular Section and how the Embassy processes visas, passports, and other consular services.
The media briefing, addressed by Mr Elliot C. Fertik, Consul General, U.S. Embassy Accra, and Mr Mathew Asada, Press Attaché, U.S. Embassy Accra, was part of a broader public education effort to dispel myths, clarify procedures, and promote lawful travel between Ghana and the United States.
Consular officials used the occasion to reiterate that while the U.S. continued to welcome Ghanaian visitors for study, work, investment, and tourism, adherence to immigration laws remained non-negotiable.
Mr Elliot Fertik, the U.S. Consul General, stated that the Embassy’s top priority was to enhance customer service while protecting the safety and security of American citizens and ensuring lawful travel for applicants from Ghana.
He said the Consular Section was committed to providing excellent customer service, and a seamless visa and passport process at the Embassy in Accra.
Mr. Fertik highlighted a series of improvements made to the consular facilities and operations aimed at creating a more efficient and transparent experience for visa applicants.
These enhancements, he noted, were part of broader efforts by the U.S. Department of State to assist legitimate travelers while cracking down on fraud and illegal immigration.
“We are also frontline in ensuring safety at our borders by protecting the United States from illegal immigration and enforcing our existing laws,” he added.
In 2024, the U.S. Embassy in Accra processed more than 61,000 non-immigrant visa applications, issued 25,000 visas to Ghanaians, and conducted 1,600 fraud investigations.
The Consular Section also processed 8,300 immigrant visas, 3,450 U.S. passports, and 1,100 Consular Reports of Births Abroad.
Mr. Fertik stressed that applicants must follow the law to enter the United States, adding that illegal activities such as overstaying visas, working without authorization, or providing false information could lead to serious consequences.
“The United States has zero tolerance for illegal immigration. Those who break the law, including students, may face visa refusal, revocation, and/or deportation,” he further stated.
The Embassy continues to educate Ghanaians on the proper application process and urges potential travelers to avoid relying on third-party agents or misinformation, he noted.
He advised, “There is no need to use a third-party vendor to apply for a visa. Book your own appointment or get help from a trusted family member or friend.”
The Embassy warned that the use of fraudulent documents, false statements, or misuse of a visa could lead to a permanent lifetime ban from entering the United States.
The Consul General emphasized that the Trump Administration was committed to enforcing America’s immigration laws and that “if you are arrested and convicted of a crime, you can expect to be deported.”
According to him, underwent rigorous security screening involving checks against law enforcement and counterterrorism databases.
For a seamless visa application process, the Embassy now operates a spacious outdoor consular waiting area that seats 100 applicants beneath a shaded, ventilated pavilion, in addition to an indoor area accommodating 50 more applicants for interviews, intake, and payment services.
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