By Hannah Dadzie
In a groundbreaking move aimed at revolutionizing passport acquisition in Ghana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commenced the direct courier delivery of new chip-embedded passports to applicants nationwide.
Friday marked the beginning of this significant reform, with Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa joining Ghana Post for the inaugural deliveries.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Ablakwa assured the public that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ghana Post are committed to ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of passports across the country.
The Foreign Affairs Minister accompanied the Ghana Post courier service to locations such as the Ghana Library Authority, Pigfarm, and the Food and Drugs Authority, where applicants received their passports. This initiative effectively eliminates the long-standing inconvenience and frustration associated with returning to Passport Application Centres for collection. Mr. Ablakwa expressed his satisfaction with the successful implementation of the new system. He highlighted the efficiency of the process, noting that some of the recipients had applied for their passports less than two weeks ago.
“This is what we mean by resetting. We promised that passports would be delivered within 15 days without any additional cost, and today, we are delivering on that promise,” the Minister stated.
Mr. Ablakwa revealed that over 5,000 of the new, highly secure chip-embedded passports are being dispatched via courier across all sixteen regions of the country this week. This intervention directly addresses the challenge of uncollected passports. Addressing concerns about delivery costs, Mr. Ablakwa clarified that the courier service is integrated into the existing passport fees, with no additional charges.
“The delivery process is fully covered under the standard passport fee, with no extra charges to applicants. Passports are not luxury items they are essential documents needed by the everyday Ghanaian to travel, often for urgent reasons, you remember my recent intervention to facilitate a visa for a young patient Suzzy Pinamang requiring medical attention. We’ve ensured that all stakeholders, including Ghana Post and private partners benefit from a fair cost-sharing model without burdening applicants,” Mr Ablakwa stressed.
The first recipient of the delivered passport, Doreen Raphala Klutse, expressed her surprise and appreciation for the convenience of the service.
“I didn’t know that a passport could be delivered to me personally, let alone by the Minister himself. I’m very grateful,” Ms. Klutse said.
The commencement of this courier service marks a significant milestone in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ efforts to enhance service delivery and bring convenience to Ghanaian citizens in their pursuit of essential travel documents. The initiative promises a more streamlined, stress-free, and efficient passport acquisition process for all.
