Passport Services Expand to All 16 Regions as Fees Drop from GH₵500 to GH₵350 and Offices Go 24/7

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Ghanaians can now apply for passports in all 16 regions of the country, with passport application centres open 24 hours a day. According to the Ministry, this is the first time in the nation’s history that every region has a passport application centre. The move is part of what the Ministry calls bold reforms by the government of President John Dramani Mahama since the current management assumed office last year.

The reforms are aimed at making the Ghanaian passport system more credible, secure, efficient, modern and affordable. Beyond the regional centres and 24-hour operations, the Ministry says it has introduced a free courier delivery service, so applicants can have their passports delivered to them at no extra cost. It has also rolled out an e-tracking mechanism that allows applicants to follow the progress of their passport application online.

On security, the Ministry says it has invested in technology-driven protocols to protect the integrity of the passport system. These measures are meant to reduce fraud and make sure passports are issued to the right people. For ordinary Ghanaians, the changes could mean less travel, shorter queues and more confidence that their applications are being handled properly.

In what may be the most welcome news for many, the passport application fee has been reduced from GHS500 to GHS350. The Ministry says the reduction is meant to make passport acquisition more affordable for all Ghanaians, even as it continues to invest heavily in improving the system. For families and individuals who need passports for travel, study or work, the GHS150 cut is a significant saving.

The announcement is likely to be welcomed by many who have long complained about long queues, travel to Accra and delays in getting passports. However, Ghanaians will be watching to see whether the 24-hour service, the regional centres and the courier delivery work as promised in practice.