Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has advised holders of the new chip-embedded passports to avoid presenting them for anointing rituals, warning that applying oil to the passports could cause irreversible damage.

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He made the call during the official rollout of the upgraded passport system in Accra.

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The new chip-embedded passports, designed to meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, are equipped with delicate electronic components that must be protected from substances like oil, heat, and liquids.

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End-users were further cautioned against bending the passports or storing them alongside other chip-enabled cards, as these actions could compromise the RFID chip embedded within the passport.

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Emphasizing Ghana’s drive toward technological advancement and enhanced security, the new passport features 175 distinct security elements, a significant improvement from the 37 features found in the biometric passports.

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Superintendent of Immigration Frank Apronti, Second-in-Command at the Document Fraud Expertise Center (DFEC), highlighted that nanotechnology and stronger encryption methods have been integrated into the new document to safeguard users' data.

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The upgraded system was developed by Biometric Travel Solutions, with Ghana Post designated as the primary courier. Applicants who encounter address challenges can collect their passports from the nearest Ghana Post office under a 24-hour delivery operation. Deliveries will be secured with tamper-proof, opaque packaging at no extra cost to applicants.

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Ghanaians wishing to acquire the new passports can apply online at www.passport.mfa.gov.gh. For additional support or inquiries, they may contact the hotline at 03022754200.

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