Felony conviction and residency visa

Hi everyone...my wife and I are preparing to move to Cape Coast later this year as full-time missionaries with an established ministry. I am not super-clear on the residency visa and work permits, but I learned that in order to receive a residency visa, they do a background check. I have a felony conviction from 18 years ago and I'm wondering if anyone else here also has a felony conviction that was granted residency, what the process entailed,  or if that is an automatic disqualification? Thank you for any help you can offer!