The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced the introduction of a 24-hour expedited passport application service aimed at providing faster and more convenient passport processing for Ghanaians.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, the Minister said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to modernize Ghana’s passport acquisition system and eliminate unnecessary delays that have long frustrated applicants. The new 24-hour service allows citizens to receive their passports within one working day at a fee of GH₵2000, while the standard processing fee for regular passports has been reduced from GH₵500 to GH₵350.
According to Hon. Ablakwa, the Ministry has rolled out a number of reforms, including 24-hour operations at the Passport Head Office, the introduction of chip-embedded biometric passports, and a doorstep courier delivery system to ensure that applicants can receive their passports without hassle.
He explained that the reforms are designed to make the passport system more efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly. “Our goal is to ensure that every Ghanaian has access to a secure, reliable, and timely passport service that meets international standards,” he stated.
The Minister further disclosed that over 215,000 chip-embedded passports have already been issued under the new system since its introduction, reflecting strong public interest and confidence in the upgraded process.
He cautioned the public against using middlemen or unauthorised agents, urging applicants to use only the official online platform, www.passport.mfa.gov.gh, for all applications and payments.
The Ministry also plans to extend passport application centres to all 16 regions of Ghana by the end of 2025 to ensure equitable access to the service nationwide.
