The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) outlined major achievements under Ghana’s ongoing Passport Reforms Programme during a media briefing held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra, on Wednesday, 12th November, 2025.
The reforms are aimed at enhancing efficiency, convenience, affordability and security in the passport acquisition process for all Ghanaians.
In addressing the media, the Minister announced the introduction of a 24-hour expedited passport application processing service at the cost of Two Thousand Cedis (GH₵2000). This service is designed to ensure that applicants who have urgent needs for passports could receive the services without challenges.
The Minister also informed that effective 13th November, 2025 the cost of passport application would be reduced by 30% from GH₵500 to GH₵350 in line with Parliamentary approval. He assured the public that the fee reduction does not have any implication on the quality of the passport. The decision is rather a reflection of Government’s commitment to making public services more affordable and accessible to all citizens.
The Minister recalled that the launch of the ICAO compliant chip embedded passport on 28th April, 2025 and disclosed that as at 11th November, 2025 a total number of 215,807 Ghanaians across the sixteen (16) regions of Ghana had successfully applied and received their new passports. As part of efforts to improve convenience, the Ministry has also introduced nationwide delivery of passports to the doorstep of applicants at no additional cost. In addition, the Passport Head Office has been operating 24-hours to guarantee around the clock service to applicants.
He further stated that with an electronic tracking system, applicants are able to monitor the progress of their applications in real time, from approval to printing and delivery.
He also announced that the Ministry had successfully cleared a backlog of over 40,000 passport applications, restoring public confidence in passport service delivery. He stated that with the reform, passport applications are processed under 15 days.
Highlighting Ghana’s strengthened global mobility, the Minister revealed that Ghana had secured eleven (11) new visa waiver agreements.
This development brings the total number of visa-free destinations available to Ghanaian passport holders to forty-two (42). He added that the Ministry is determined to maintain enhanced security protocols to protect the integrity of Ghana’s passports and avert misuse by non-citizens.
The Minister reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to decentralising passport services, noting that efforts are being made to ensure that all the sixteen (16) regions in the country have Passport Application Centres (PACs) by the end of 2025.
On issue of curbing the activities of intermediaries, the Minister indicated that the Ministry in collaboration with the security agencies, had successfully dismantled their operations to discontinue the exploitation of applicants and assured that any individual found culpable would be brought to book.
The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to sustaining the ongoing transformation of passport services to ensure greater efficiency, security, convenience, and affordability for every Ghanaian.
