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The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced plans to establish passport application centres in all 16 regions of Ghana. This initiative aims to decentralize passport services, reducing congestion and long processing times at the main application centre in Accra.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, March 12, Ablakwa emphasized that the move would make passport acquisition more accessible for citizens nationwide, eliminating the need for long-distance travel to the capital.
While the government does not currently plan to establish district-level offices, the minister expressed confidence that regional centres, along with ongoing service reforms, would significantly improve passport processing.
“Our plan now is to regionalise and make sure we have passport application centres in all the 16 regions of Ghana. We do not currently have plans to have district offices,” Ablakwa stated.
He added that the government’s measures—including 24-hour operations, reduced waiting periods, and courier services—would ensure a smoother and faster passport application process for all applicants.
Currently, the Accra passport application centre struggles to handle the high volume of applicants, forcing people from across the country to travel long distances, leading to increased costs and delays. Many Ghanaians have raised concerns about inefficiencies in the system, including difficulties in securing appointments.
The establishment of regional passport centres is expected to address these challenges, making passport acquisition more convenient and efficient for all Ghanaians.
