Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, advised Ghanaians facing financial constraints against applying for passports unnecessarily. She stressed that passports have become less crucial as a primary means of identification and suggested that individuals without a specific need for them should avoid applying. Botchwey underscored the importance of responsible passport application, considering alternative identification options available in today’s context.
Addressing journalists, she said, “Today as we speak, we have the National Identification that is working very well, so that’s our primary source of identification. No longer the passport.
“And even those who have the National ID can travel into the country with it. So, then I’m asking humbly Ghanaians that please, if you do not need a passport and because you cannot afford it. Please, humbly, I’m asking you not to go for a passport because it’s no longer your primary source of identification.”
She voiced apprehension regarding the government’s subsidy of passport applications, suggesting that the quality of services offered to Ghanaians might suffer due to the ongoing subsidy.
“If the government heavily subsidizes, it’s challenging to maintain high-quality services for Ghanaians,” she remarked.
She also pledged the ministry’s cooperation in case Parliament opts to reconsider passport fees.
“Fees come from the Parliament of Ghana. We make a presentation to them; we give them the bare facts of what it is. Parliament is aware of this and this document charges came from Parliament. If Parliament decides on going back, we will have to look at it. It is Parliament that has decided and we will go by it.”
She clarified that the rise in passport fees aims not to impose financial strain on Ghanaians.
Effective April 1, 2024, the Ministry has increased its fees and charges for services. This decision aligns with the 2023 fees and charges regulations, L.I.2481. The processing fee for an expedited 48-page passport now costs GHS800, while a 32-page application is GHS700.
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