Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that passport application centres will be expanded to all 16 regions of Ghana by December 2025.
This comes in line with the surge in demand for passports due to international opportunities of work, education and travel leading the chart sheets of demands.
Speaking at a ceremony in Accra, the Minister explained that the initiative aims to ease the burden on Ghanaians living in regions without access to passport services, who often have to travel long distances to complete their applications.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the rollout will begin in Bolgatanga this month, followed by other regions, until full nationwide coverage is achieved by the end of the year.
“I am delighted to announce that by December, we will make sure every region without a passport application centre has one, starting with Bolgatanga this month’’, he stated.
The ceremony also witnessed the presentation of diplomatic passports to five distinguished Ghanaians like travel vlogger Wode Maya, Grammy-nominated reggae artiste Rocky Dawuni, broadcaster and entrepreneur Anita Erskine, contemporary visual artiste Ibrahim Mahama, and British-Ghanaian entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng MBE as a way of recognising their outstanding contributions to the nation.
The establishment of the centres form part of the government’s broader agenda to decentralise essential services and bring them closer to citizens. Such action is expected to not only reduce congestion at existing facilities but also ensure equitable access to passport services for all Ghanaians.
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Story by Richlove Doku Essilfie | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
