All Passengers Flying Into Ghana Must Now Fill Health Declaration Form Before Departure

Every person travelling to Ghana must now complete an online Health Declaration Form before boarding their flight or crossing into the country, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed. The requirement, which came into force on Thursday, 12th November, marks a significant step in Ghana's efforts to bolster public health surveillance at its entry points.

What travellers need to know

The directive applies to all incoming passengers without exception — whether they are Ghanaian nationals returning home, members of the diaspora visiting family, or foreign nationals entering the country for business, tourism or any other purpose. Travellers are required to fill out the form before they depart for Ghana, not on arrival. The GHS has stressed the importance of completing the process early to avoid delays or complications at ports of entry.

The form is accessible through the GHS electronic health declaration portal at https://ehds.ghs.gov.gh/declaration. Once submitted online, travellers should ensure they have proof of completion ready when they arrive in Ghana. The Service has urged airlines, travel agencies and other stakeholders in the travel industry to actively inform their passengers of the new requirement and to assist them in preparing ahead of their journeys.

Why it matters for Ghana

Ghana has long recognised that ports of entry — airports, land borders and seaports — are among the most critical points for detecting and containing potential disease outbreaks before they spread into the general population. Health declaration systems of this kind are a standard tool in global public health, used widely during the COVID-19 pandemic and retained or reintroduced by many countries as part of stronger health security frameworks.

By collecting structured health data from arriving passengers, the GHS is better positioned to identify travellers who may be carrying infectious diseases or who have recently visited areas experiencing disease outbreaks. This information feeds directly into national surveillance systems, allowing health authorities to act swiftly should a threat emerge. For a country like Ghana, which serves as a major travel and transit hub in West Africa, robust border health monitoring is especially important.

The move also aligns with Ghana's obligations under the International Health Regulations, a legally binding framework under the World Health Organisation that requires member states to maintain core public health capacities at points of entry. Strengthening these systems helps Ghana meet international standards while protecting both its own citizens and the broader West African region.

Calls for cooperation from all stakeholders

The GHS has appealed to all travellers and industry partners to embrace the new measure in good faith. The Service noted that compliance would not only help protect public health but would also contribute to a smoother, more efficient travel experience at Ghana's entry points — benefiting travellers themselves.

For Ghanaians living abroad who regularly travel home, as well as foreign nationals and investors who visit frequently, being aware of this requirement before booking or departing is essential. Failure to complete the form in advance could result in hold-ups upon arrival.

• Visit the portal well before your travel date to allow time for any technical issues.
• Save or print confirmation of your completed declaration as proof.
• Contact your airline or travel agent if you need assistance locating or completing the form.

The Ghana Health Service expressed appreciation to travellers and stakeholders for their anticipated cooperation, describing the measure as a collective effort to keep Ghana safe and healthy.