Okudzeto Ablakwa Commits to Making Passport Services More Efficient and Affordable
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced plans to expand the passport headquarters in Accra, aiming to improve services and reduce waiting times for Ghanaians.
During his visit to the passport office, Ablakwa revealed that the 2025 budget has allocated funds for the expansion project, which will include additional offices, expanded storage facilities, data centers, and comfortable conference rooms for the public.
The minister also outlined plans to roll out a program that will enable every region in Ghana to have a decent passport application center, eliminating the need for citizens to travel long distances for passport services.
Ablakwa emphasized the government’s commitment to reforming the passport administration, making it a 24-hour operation, and reducing waiting times for passports to just one week. He also pledged to review the fee structure, making passports more affordable for ordinary Ghanaians while increasing rates for special categories such as frequent travelers.
The minister assured staff that the government has taken note of the conditions required for 24-hour operations, including transportation and security. He also announced plans to transition to chip-embedded passports, consistent with ICAO standards, and to integrate institutions to improve security and vetting processes.
Ablakwa’s visit to the passport office marks his first visit as the Foreign Affairs Minister since his appointment. He has pledged to operate an open-door policy, encouraging staff to approach him with ideas and concerns to make the country better.
