Accra, March 24, GNA - The British High Commission announced on Thursday that it would open two new Visa Application Centres in Accra and Kumasi next month.

A statement issued in Accra said the centres would operate considerably extended opening hours, allowing visa applicants the flexibility about when and where to submit their applications. The centres would be administered by VFS Ghana Private Limited in partnership with Ecobank.

The High Commission said the company won the contract after an extensive tendering process in competition with over 200 other parties. The statement said highly trained professionals would staff the new centres. They would offer facilities for lodging applications and collecting decisions, have telephone, e-mail and personal caller enquiry services.

The Accra Centre located at No. 2, Lenshie Crescent, North Labone, would open on April 7.

Applications may be lodged there from Monday to Friday from 0800 to 1200 hours and 1300 to 1600 hours. Decisions may be collected between 1300 and 1600 hours on the day notified by the centre.

The statement said Fast Track (formerly known as Drop Box) applications for previous visitors may be lodged between 0800 and 1000 hours and collected between 1430 and 1600 hours the following day. The statement said the Kumasi Centre located at No. 8 Southern By-Pass, Ridge Residential Area, Kumasi, would open on April 12. Applications may be lodged there from 0800 to 1200 hours and 1300 to 1500 hours. Decisions may be collected between 1300 and 1500 hours on the day notified by the Centre.

The statement said with effect from April 7, applicants for visas do not need to purchase a Barclays Bank draft to cover the visa fee and can pay cash to Ecobank, which would be based at the Visa Application Centres.

It said from April 7 all applications should be made direct to the Visa Application Centre and not the British High Commission. The statement said all decisions relating to visa applications would continue to be made by Entry Clearance Officers at the High Commission.