Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for North Tongu, recently paid a working visit to the Passport Head Office and the Accra Passport Application Centre. During his visit, he commended the staff for their dedication and significant contributions over the years in ensuring efficient passport administration in the country.
However, Hon. Ablakwa has proposed five key reforms aimed at enhancing operations at these offices. He emphasized that these reforms align with former President John Mahama’s 24-hour economy agenda and are crucial to resetting Ghana’s passport administration system.
The key reforms proposed by Hon. Ablakwa include:
- 24-Hour Operations: The introduction of a 24-hour operational system to create more jobs and ensure that passports can be processed and delivered within one week. He indicated that a three-shift system will be introduced at the Passport Offices. This initiative is expected to improve efficiency and meet the growing demand for passports.
- Full Modernization of the Passport Application Process: The passport system will undergo full digital transformation in anticipation of the imminent rollout of chip-embedded passports to meet the requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This will streamline the process and enhance security.
- Courier Delivery of Passports Nationwide: To ensure convenience for applicants, passports will be delivered by courier services across the country. This reform seeks to eliminate the current stressful practice of traveling to Passport Application Centres (PACs) to pick up passports, thereby saving applicants time and reducing congestion at the centres.
- Reduction in Passport Application Fees: Hon. Ablakwa has proposed a reduction in the cost of ordinary passport applications to make them more affordable for Ghanaians. This move is aimed at easing the financial burden on applicants, ensuring that more citizens can acquire passports without excessive costs.
- Enhanced Welfare Package for Passport Administration Staff: The minister has also proposed an improved welfare package for all staff working within Ghana’s passport administration. This initiative aims to boost morale and improve working conditions, leading to greater efficiency and service delivery.
In addition to these proposed reforms, Hon. Ablakwa addressed a pressing concern raised by staff regarding water supply challenges at the Passport Head Office and the Accra Passport Application Centre. In response, he facilitated the installation of multiple water dispensers at both centres within 18 hours of the request. This swift intervention highlights his commitment to improving the working conditions of staff and the experience of applicants visiting the centres.
“Let’s hope for more exciting times for passport administration in Ghana,” Hon. Ablakwa stated.
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