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Foreign Affairs Minister-designate Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed that Ghana’s passport issuance system is in crisis, with a backlog of over 70,000 uncollected passports.
Speaking during his vetting on Friday, the North Tongu MP highlighted the systemic inefficiencies that continue to plague the process, including bureaucratic delays and the involvement of middlemen, or “goro boys.”
“I recall the former Foreign Minister, the Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, storming the passport office in frustration and saying, ‘Look, this crisis cannot continue.’ That public outburst was an indication of the deep frustration within the system,” Ablakwa stated.
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He stressed the urgent need for an overhaul of the passport regime to eliminate bottlenecks and ensure timely service delivery.
One of his key proposals is to leverage digital solutions to streamline the process. He questioned the necessity of requiring Ghanaians with the Ghana Card to visit passport offices for biometrics, suggesting that an integrated system could enhance efficiency and eliminate unnecessary physical visits.
“I don’t think that we should still be requiring Ghanaians who have the Ghana Card to go to the passport office for their biometrics,” he said.
Ablakwa’s commitment to passport reforms aligns with broader efforts to modernise Ghana’s public services, reduce inefficiencies, and ensure a transparent and accessible passport issuance system for all citizens.
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