Flood victims receive free passports
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has presented the first batch of reprinted passports to beneficiaries of its free passport replacement initiative, introduced to support victims whose travel documents were destroyed during the devastating June 29 floods.
A total of 100 beneficiaries received their new chip-embedded passports at a presentation ceremony held at the ministry’s headquarters in Accra last Friday.
The initiative was introduced to ease the financial burden on flood victims by replacing verified passports lost or damaged in the disaster at no cost. It forms part of the ministry’s broader effort to provide immediate relief while restoring access to an essential travel and identification document.
According to the MFA, the remaining applications are being processed in phases following a verification exercise. The ministry assured applicants that the second and final rounds of passport issuance will be completed once the screening process is concluded.
Presenting the first batch of passports, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Khadijah Iddrisu, said the intervention was launched in response to the widespread destruction caused by the floods and the hardships experienced by many Ghanaians who lost their passports.
She explained that after a public announcement on July 3, affected individuals were invited to submit applications along with the required supporting documents for assessment.
Ms Iddrisu disclosed that the ministry had received about 500 applications, all of which are being processed in stages to ensure that only eligible applicants benefit from the programme. While the first 100 passports have been completed and issued, the remaining verified applicants will receive theirs after the ongoing screening exercise.
She assured applicants who are still awaiting their passports that officials from both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Passport Office are working diligently to complete the process as quickly as possible.
Highlighting the significance of the intervention, Ms Iddrisu said the initiative reflects Ghana’s enduring values of unity, compassion and shared responsibility. She noted that, in addition to promoting the country as a destination for trade, investment and tourism, the ministry is committed to demonstrating Ghana’s culture of supporting one another during times of hardship.
“When something touches one of us, it touches all of us,” she said, adding that the free passport replacement exercise was designed to reduce the burden on citizens recovering from the disaster.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Richmond Debrah described the initiative as a timely and impactful intervention that had spared flood victims the considerable cost of replacing their lost passports.
He said the gesture had not only restored an important travel document but had also renewed the confidence of affected persons by demonstrating the government’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens during difficult times.
Mr Debrah expressed appreciation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, as well as the ministry’s management and staff, for their compassion, professionalism and prompt response. He also prayed for God’s continued guidance and strength as they continue to serve the nation.
