By Sarah Baafi
Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has cautioned that Ghana’s laws will crack down hard on foreigners attempting to obtain Ghanaian passports through illicit channels.
He stressed that enhanced security protocols are now in place to thwart such efforts by outsiders seeking Ghanaian citizenship documents.
“Ghanaians worry about bolstering our security to prevent foreigners from obtaining our passports and eroding our hard-won progress. I assure you, we have ramped up security through tech investments, and foreigners will find it extremely difficult to get Ghanaian passports.”
“We’ve established systems to quickly catch and detain them if they attempt it,” he promised.
During the launch of a new Passport Application Centre in the Savannah Region on December 31, he highlighted additional safeguards, particularly at borders, to stop infiltrators targeting Damongo for passports.
“We’ll implement all required verifications,” he affirmed.
Addressing assaults and mistreatment of Ghanaians abroad, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to safeguarding every Ghanaian living overseas.
Savannah Regional Minister Salisu Bi-Awuribe expressed deep appreciation for the new centre in the Region, explaining that it would cut down travel time and expenses for locals needing passport services.
The Foreign Minister disclosed that, “in order to support infrastructure development, the Regional Coordinating Council has allocated two acres of land for building a permanent passport office” in the Savannah Region.
At the commissioning event, seven applicants collected their passports straight from the Minister and his team.
