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Ghanaians are set to benefit from a major passport reform as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced a range of new measures aimed at modernising the passport acquisition process and reducing costs.
Launched on Monday, April 28, the reforms were announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and include the introduction of chip-embedded e-passports, 24-hour express processing, door-to-door courier delivery, an electronic tracking system, and a 30% reduction in passport application fees.
The new e-passport comes with a microprocessor chip that securely stores biometric and photo data of the passport holder and is linked to the National Identification Authority’s database. It also features enhanced anti-fraud protections, with over 150 overt and covert security features—up from 32 in the previous biometric passport.
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According to Mr. Ablakwa, this upgrade meets international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and marks a significant improvement in passport security and efficiency.
The average processing time for passports is expected to reduce to 15 days, helping to eliminate delays and reduce reliance on unofficial agents, commonly known as ‘goro boys’. These reforms are part of a broader effort to digitize and streamline government services.
Speaking at the launch in Accra, Mr. Ablakwa emphasized the historic collaboration among key agencies to enhance passport integrity and user convenience.
He explained that the use of nanotechnology and RFID chips places Ghana’s new passport among the most secure globally.
“This is a holistic package of an international-standard travel document with first-class document security approved by ICAO,” the Minister stated.
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