Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced a special bonus for staff of Ghana’s Passport Administration following the institution’s recognition as the most transformed and least corrupt public institution in a recent Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) report.
Mr Ablakwa announced the reward during a working visit to the Passport Head Office, where he commended management and staff for improvements in the delivery of passport services.
He said all passport administration staff will receive the special bonus next week in recognition of their performance and the progress highlighted by the GSS survey.
The Minister said government would continue to pursue reforms aimed at improving integrity, professionalism, innovation, customer satisfaction and efficiency within the Passport Administration.
Describing the changes as Ghana’s “Remarkable Passport Reset,” Mr Ablakwa highlighted several reforms introduced by the Passport Office.
According to him, Ghana now has an advanced chip-embedded passport, while improved visa-waiver arrangements have increased the value of Ghanaian passports across the continent.
He said passport application backlogs had also been cleared following the introduction of 24-hour operations, with applications now processed in fewer than 15 working days without the involvement of intermediaries or “goro boys.”
The Minister said passport processing fees had been reduced by 30% to make the service more affordable for applicants.
Other reforms include courier delivery services at no additional cost, the possibility of same-day passport processing, digital application tracking and enhanced security measures designed to prevent foreigners from illegally obtaining Ghanaian passports.
Mr Ablakwa also disclosed that Passport Application Centres are now operating in all 16 regions, describing the development as the first of its kind in Ghana.
He said the reforms are intended to make passport acquisition more efficient, secure, transparent and customer-focused, while restoring public confidence in the service.
The Minister expressed confidence that continued implementation of the reforms would further strengthen Ghana’s passport administration and enhance the country’s international reputation.
