Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced plans for the Passport Office to extend its working hours, introducing day, night, and dawn shifts as part of the government’s 24-hour economy initiative.
Speaking at the Passport Headquarters in Accra, he stressed that the reforms aim to ensure that applicants receive their passports within a week of submission.
Additionally, Ablakwa disclosed plans to roll out chip-embedded passports and integrate passport data with the National Identification Authority system to enhance verification processes and improve efficiency.
As part of broader modernization efforts within the Foreign Affairs Ministry, he also revealed intentions to restructure passport fees—reducing costs for standard applicants while increasing charges for premium services.
“You are all aware of the major reforms we intend to implement. Our goal is to transform passport administration into a 24-hour service,” he stated.
“This year, you must be prepared. We will introduce a three-shift system to minimize delays in passport issuance.
“With this intervention, we are confident that Ghanaians should be able to obtain their passports within a week of application,” he added.