Ghana’s passport application centers are set to implement a 24-hour service this year, with officials working in three shifts, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The initiative aims to address the significant backlog of passport applications.
The Minister revealed the plan during a meeting with foreign service officials, outlining a comprehensive reform of the current passport system. “We want the passport administration in our country to operate 24 hours a day,” he stated, emphasizing the goal of reducing waiting times.
To facilitate the 24-hour service, logistical and financial arrangements will be made to increase capacity at application centers nationwide.
During his vetting, Mr. Ablakwa highlighted the system’s challenges, including a backlog of over 70,000 uncollected passports.
He has since visited application centers in Accra, reiterating the need for modernization and the implementation of measures like the 24-hour shift system.
The Foreign Ministry also announced plans for new chip-embedded passports with enhanced security features. A timeline for their introduction will be provided after a cabinet meeting later this week.
Mr. Ablakwa expressed optimism that these reforms, along with a proposed discounted application fee for average Ghanaians, will improve the passport system and align it with international standards.
