The Central Regional Passport Application Center has been commissioned in Cape Coast, following the Commissioning of another Center at Ridge in Accra less than a month ago. Two more application centers in Wa and Tamale are expected to be opened next week.
This brings the number of Passport Application Centers across the country to 13. It forms part of efforts to expand the scope of passport operations in the country.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Charles Owiredu, who supervised the commissioning on behalf of Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchway indicated that passport application centers will be commissioned in other regions by the end of 2021.
“Preparations are underway for the establishment of additional Passport Application Centers in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region and in the six (6) newly created regions and by the end of 2021. This is in line with government policy of bringing passport services to the door step of Ghanaians and it ample demonstration of government’s commitment to good governance through decentralisation and de-concentration of essential public services. Today’s event is, therefore, an important milestone which signifies a new era not only for the people of Cape Coast and the Central Region but for the people of Ghana in general.”
Mr Owiredu expressed optimism at the benefits of a passport application center to the people of Cape Coast.
“With the official opening of this Centre, residents of this Region can now apply for passport here in Cape Coast without travelling to Takoradi or Accra for such service. Therefore, citizens of Cape Coast and its environs from today will enjoy the fruits of passport operations at their doorstep and its associated benefits which were hitherto absent from this beautiful and vibrant region.”
The Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan, was happy that his region now has a passport application center, which he described as a right of all Ghanaians.
“A passport is everything Ghanaian citizens constitutional right, which must be made easily accessible….over the years our people in exercising their rights to own a passport have had to travel to Accra to join long queues and sleep overnight for days, which is very stressful. After this stress sometimes they are unable to obtain the passports and come back home empty handed.”
It is envisaged that the establishment of a Passport Application Centre in Cape Coast would unleash more opportunities in the supply chain where the youth and school leavers can take advantage and set up their own small businesses.
Story filed by Nathaniel Nartey.