A HICKUP WITH THE GHANA VISA-THEY ARE ONE TOUGH CROWD

I remember obtaining my Ghana visa last year was a headache.  I wasn’t able to get the visa from the Kenyan embassy as they only issue a Ghana visa to residents and I didn’t have my permit at the time.  I was super lucky that I had a trip to London in the May and contacted the London embassy.  By rights they only issue visas to residents of the UK, so I was finding myself in a bit of a pickle and when  spoke to the embassy here, it was suggested that I would have to obtain my visa from either Malaysia or back in Australia, from Kenya……….. Really!!!!! In the end, the London Embassy issued the visa for me as long as I could put a UK address on the application and they were able to issue it overnight.  It was another expensive visa at the time, at a cost of 140GBP and an extra 20GBP for an express issue, but worth every penny as it is a visa that you need to obtain before you depart.

This year I have the magic ‘permit’.  So I confirmed with the Ghana Embassy via phone that I was now eligible to get my Ghana visa in Kenya this year.  I was asked when my permit expired and was given the green light and directed to their website for all the requirements.  I read and re-read all the information that was required, including 4 copies of the application and for good measure I also packed my original permit papers and everything else I could think of.  I felt I had everything.

So on a ‘visa’ high from Gabon yesterday, a ‘visa’ spring in my step, I jumped in my car and found the Ghana Consul with no issues.  I am lucky it is another embassy that is on my side of town, so after pulling up to the gate, getting told to park on the street, signing myself in, I found myself on Ghana territory.  I feel like I am going for a job interview with my ‘Overland’ folder jam packed with every single bit of information I have on the trip, trying to be prepared should I be asked for something additional, then add into that the stress, it really does feel like a job interview. 

I walked into the reception and the lady behind the counter was a little frosty.  So I stated I was there for a visa and she told me to enter a smaller room where there was another frosty lady sitting behind a desk.  I was told to take a seat as she finished something she was doing and then asked for my documents.  After finding my permit in my passport, she asked me what I did for a job….Uhhhh ohhhh, ummmmmmm I’m not working; I am retired, as per my permit.  A look of concern crossed her face and after checking my application she told me that it was incomplete.  Dang, not the words that you want to hear.  She really was abrupt with me, and I’m like, fine, give me everything back and I will fix what was missing and I would come back.  She kind of changed her tune a little after I bit back and she checked that I had everything else and then she explained to me that it was too early to apply for the 3 month visa.  I told her that because it was my second trip to Ghana, I could apply for the 6 month visa (ha! Take that Ms Frosty), but according to the rule, even on a 6 month visa, you have to enter Ghana within 3 months of issue.  Stupid rule, (round 2 to Ms Frosty).  Based on that, I was too early to apply, even if I did have everything.  Dang.  She still seemed concerned about my permit, so she said for me to move back out into the reception area while she went and spoke to the Ambassador. 

I only had to wait a few minutes and she called me over and said the Ambassador would like to speak to me about my application.  Geez, anyone would think I wanted to work there or something.  I am only after a tourist visa after all.  I was escorted into his large office, with a TV that was possibly a few decibels too loud and I shook his hand, calling him Sir and took the offered seat.  Initially he came across a little abrupt, but after a little chat about my actual permit, missing pieces of information and 2 additional letters that I had to submit with my application we had a great laugh over my predicament of countries bouncing me around and refusing to issue me a visa, and it seemed a positive meeting.  I think the trickiest part will be a letter from Ghana, an invitation letter, but I will contact Oasis about this, otherwise I am sure I can go direct to the accommodation where we are staying for this-hopefully. 

So I may not have been able to lodge my visa application today, my ‘visa’ spring flattened after the early frosty greetings, but I think that I will still be able to get my visa issued here.  My backup plan would be to get it issued in Australia, but I only have 4 weeks in Oz and I also need to obtain my Cameroon visa.  When I mentioned this to the Ghana Ambassador, he said they may not issue me one in Australia as I am no longer a resident there……  man, can I catch a break!?  So thinking about it while I was stuck in traffic this afternoon, I should be able to apply for the visa here in October, a week before I am due to leave, around the 14^th of October.  This gives me 3 months to enter Ghana, which I need to arrive before the 10^th anyway, so I would be inside the 3 month entry rule (by 4 days) but I am still within the rules.  So then if I still have an issue getting the visa issued in Kenya, then I still have a second bite at the cherry in Australia, and technically I am sure there is a consulate in the US somewhere, should I get absolutely stuck, giving me a plan C.   

My friend at Oasis is going to love me (NOT) when I have to email her back asking for more information.  I hate hassling people, but it is something that I just can’t do on my own.

So Ghana was a bust, not a total bust, but a bust all the same.

Next up…… the Republic of Congo……..