The government of Ghana through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today, commenced the issuance of its chip-embedded passports, bringing an end to the issuance of biometric passports.

Speaking at the event for the rollout of the chip-embedded passport to the public, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, noted that the mechanisms put in place will see to an end of over 70,000 uncollected passports.

To biometric passport users, the Foreign Minister stated that in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements, the old biometric passports remain valid until 2030, however, end-users can switch to the chip-embedded passports any time before 2030, whether their passport has expired or not.

The minister lauded the collaboration of Ghanaian entities, including Ghana Post and Troskit, to make the delivery of the novel passports at one’s convenience possible. A dashboard has been set up to ensure management tracks the movement and distribution of passports.

Mr Ablakwa lauded his predecessors for their work in the past 15 years to ensure Ghana can now boast of a chip-embedded passport.

The new security-enhanced, chip-embedded passports will make Ghana compliant with requirements from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Director of Passports Kwasi Asante, on his part, noted that the new era will safeguard the lives of citizens and assure the world of Ghana’s commitment to technological advancement.

The Second-in-Command (2IC) of the Document Fraud Expertise Center (DFEC), Superintendent of Immigration Frank Apronti, noted that the new chip-embedded passport has security features that are of international repute. The novel passport has 175 security features compared to the 37 security features on the biometric passport. He noted that the new passport has been embedded with nanotechnology.

The expert entreated end-users to avoid bending or keeping the new passport in the pocket, as it contains a biographical data-page composed of layers of polymer compressed into a solid substrate.

The novel passport must be protected from heat and all forms of liquid. It must not be stored with other cards with chip embedded in them as it may interfere with encoded information on the (RFID) inside the passport. End-users are to avoid spliting the biographical data page as it will permanently damage the passport.

The new platform was built by Biometric Travel Solutions. Ghana Post, the lead courier service provider, will ensure Ghanaians with address challenges pick up their chip-embedded passports at the nearest Ghana Post Office under a 24-hour operation.

No applicant will be charged extra for the courier delivery of their chip-embedded passports.

The opaque, tamper-proof package by Ghana Post for delivery of the new passport has an evident sealing strip, and any form of tampering will destroy the package.

Present at the event included Chief of Staff Julius Debrah and his Deputy, Stan Dogbe; Dept. Attorney-General, Srem Sai, Government Communications Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam Nartey George, Dept. Majority Leader, Ricketts-Hagan, Chairman of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee; Alfred Okoe Vanderpoye; and Dr Lawrence Tetteh.

To apply for the new chip-embedded passport, visit www.passport.mfa.gov.gh. For more inquiries or to register concerns, the end user can call the hotline 03022754200.