Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, has reiterated his plans to reduce passport acquisition fees, citing concerns about the affordability for ordinary Ghanaians.
During a working visit to the Passport Office in Accra on February 19, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, described the current GH₵500 passport fee as too expensive. He pledged to seek parliamentary approval for a reduction, acknowledging that ordinary Ghanaians are finding the fees burdensome. “People are complaining, and when we toured the country, they told us they want us to do something about it,” he said.
He further stated that the government would reassess the fee structure to ensure it is more affordable, particularly for underprivileged groups.
He added, “We want to take a second look at the structure. We will go back to Parliament to amend the fees and charges. Our goal is to reduce fees for ordinary Ghanaians and make passports more affordable. I also believe that certain groups, like brilliant but needy students on scholarships, should be able to acquire passports for free.” However, he clarified that business professionals and entrepreneurs who require premium services would not benefit from the reduced fees, as they can afford the current charges.
Reforms to Improve Passport Acquisition
In addition to fee reductions, the Minister outlined a series of reforms aimed at making passport acquisition faster and more efficient. These reforms include provisions in the 2025 budget to expand and upgrade passport offices nationwide, establishing new offices in all regions to improve accessibility, and reviving and completing stalled projects.
Implementation of 24-Hour Economy at Passport Offices.
As part of a broader government initiative, Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the full implementation of a 24-hour economy at passport offices to accelerate processing times. Under President Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy, passport administration will operate around the clock, with three shifts introduced to ensure faster service. This change aims to reduce the waiting time for passports, allowing applicants to receive theirs within a week, instead of months.
To support this initiative, the Ministry is procuring buses for staff working late shifts and enhancing security measures at passport offices.
Clearing Backlog
Currently, over 70,000 printed passports remain uncollected at various passport offices across the country. The government aims to address this backlog and streamline the application process through the proposed reforms, ensuring a more efficient system for passport collection and issuance.
