Ablakwa vows to reform Ghana’s passport system

Minister-nominee for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has pledged to modernize Ghana’s passport application and issuance system through technology-driven reforms.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, January 31, Ablakwa emphasized the urgent need to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in the current passport regime.

He acknowledged the significant challenges Ghanaians faced in acquiring passports, including long delays, bureaucratic hurdles, and the activities of middlemen exploiting the system.

“There are too many complaints about how difficult it is to get passports and receive them on time. I have reviewed some briefs and discovered that there is a backlog of over 70,000 uncollected passports. Additionally, the issue of middlemen, or ‘goro’ boys, remains a serious problem,” he stated.

To tackle these inefficiencies, Ablakwa outlined plans to integrate digital solutions aimed at streamlining the application process, eliminating corruption, and improving overall service delivery.

He assured the committee that under his leadership, the Foreign Affairs Ministry would implement a more efficient online application system and digitize the biometric data collection process to reduce the need for in-person visits.

“I recall the former Foreign Minister, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, visiting the passport office in frustration, declaring that this crisis could not continue. I intend to leverage technology to overhaul our passport system. Ghanaians who already have a Ghana Card should not be required to visit passport offices for biometric data capture,” Ablakwa stressed.