Accra: In a bid to enhance efficiency and significantly reduce waiting times, Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced plans to transform the country's passport office into a 24-hour operation. Speaking at the passport headquarters in Accra, Mr Ablakwa highlighted a key goal of the reform: ensuring that applicants receive their passports within a week of application.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Ablakwa stated, "We want the passport administration in our country to become a 24-hour operation. This year, you need to stand and get ready, prepare yourselves. We are going to run three shifts. We want to cut down on the waiting time for passports." He emphasized that the 24-hour economy intervention would make it possible for applicants to receive their passports within a week of applying.
The initiative is part of the government's broader 24-hour economy plan, aimed at job creation and improving public service efficiency. To support this, the government intends to expand storage facilities, data centers, and public amenities at the passport headquarters.
Mr Ablakwa also disclosed plans to introduce chip-embedded passports and to integrate passport data with the National Identification Authority system. This integration is expected to streamline the process of applicant verification. Additionally, he mentioned ongoing efforts to revise passport fees, aiming to reduce costs for ordinary applicants while adjusting fees for premium services.
The announcement marks a significant step towards modernizing Ghana's administrative services, reflecting the country's commitment to a more efficient, tech-driven, and accessible public sector.
