By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has commissioned a Passport Application Centre in Dambai. The centre brings passport services closer to residents of the Oti Region, in fulfillment of a pledge to set up Passport Application Centers in all the regional capitals in the country. Dambai is the first of the newly created regions to have the Passport Application Centre to address the challenge of some Ghanaians having to commute to other regions for passport services.
Speaking during the commissioning, on Monday, December 29, 2025 the Minister outlined ongoing passport administration reforms, which include, the deployment of mobile biometric equipment, enhanced vetting processes to make having the Application Centres in the regions efficient. There is also to be, broader digitisation initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, security and turnaround times. The reduction in passport application fees from GH₵500.00 to GH₵350.00, coupled with the intended free courier delivery of passports, and introduction of an e-tracking system are to enable applicants to monitor the status of their applications to enhance transparency and accountability. The provision of same-day passport processing service to cater for emergencies as well as having offices closer to the people, are all to make Passport acquisition in Ghana less stressful.
He also emphasized Government’s commitment in safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s passport and stated that only eligible citizens would be permitted to acquire the document cautioning that, measures have been put in place to ensure the swift apprehension of non-Ghanaians who attempt to acquire passports through unlawful means.
Ablakwa urged applicants to adhere strictly to approved application procedures and to avoid the use of intermediaries. He said, ten applicants from the Oti Region had already submitted their passport applications and indicated that the newly commissioned centre was fully operational and ready to process applications and deliver passports within the stipulated period, which is under 15 days for regular applications.
The Regional Minister of Oti Region, John Kwadwo Gyapong, described the opening of the application centre as a significant demonstration of Government’s commitment to decentralisation and equitable access to essential public services for all Ghanaians. He noted that prior to the opening of the application centre, residents had to travel long distances for passport services. The Regional Minister commended the collaborative efforts of regional stakeholders and urged staff to uphold professionalism, integrity and excellence in service delivery.
