Hanson Dartey, Acting Secretary of the NDC Spain
The Barcelona branch of the Ghanaian diaspora has raised concerns about the documentation process at Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifically within the department responsible for endorsing documents such as birth certificates, police criminal reports, and other vital records.
In a statement, Hanson Dartey, Acting Secretary of the NDC Spain, expressed frustration over the delays and inefficiencies in the documentation process, which he believes hinder the ability of Ghanaians living abroad to access essential services.
“We wish to congratulate Honorable Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, for the good work he has been doing, particularly in reforming the Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C.,” Dartey said.
“However, it is unfortunate that the department under his ministry responsible for endorsing documents is not functioning effectively.”
Dartey cited instances where documents sent to the department for endorsement take several weeks—or even months—to be processed, with some cases requiring only one person to sign off on the documents.
“If the person is not available, nobody else can sign, and the process is delayed further,” he explained.
According to him, the delays are particularly concerning for Ghanaians living abroad who need these documents for various purposes, including visa applications and other official processes.
“Everything is time-sensitive here in Europe, and if you fail to meet the deadlines, you’re in trouble,” Dartey noted.
The Ghanaian diaspora is calling on Honorable Okudzeto Ablakwa to intervene and address the inefficiencies in the documentation process.
“We believe the Minister is not aware of these challenges, and that’s why we’re bringing it to his attention,” Dartey said.
“We trust that he will take steps to improve the process and make it more efficient for Ghanaians living abroad.”
KA