Government has announced an expansion of Passport Application Centres (PAC) nationwide as part of measures to make passport services more accessible to all Ghanaians.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Government Accountability Series held in Accra on Monday, September 15, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, mentioned that, seven new centers will be opened this year, to expand coverage.

“Currently, we have 13 passport application centers in nine regions with a breakdown as follows: three in the Greater Accra Region, two in the Ashanti Region, two in the Northern Region, one in Upper West, one in Eastern, one in Central, one in Volta, one in Western, and one in the Bono Region. Efforts are in place to open seven additional passport application centers to cover the six new regions and Bolgatanga, the capital of the Upper East Region. These PACs will be opened this year”, he said.

He added that, the PAC in Bolgatanga will be opened next month, after months of anticipated opening.

“I am glad to note that the Bolgatanga passport application center will be fully operational next month, October. I know our compatriots in the Upper East have been agitating for this and I’m glad that next month your suffering will be over. We apologize to you for all the stress and the hustle, but the wait is over. Next month I will personally be in Bolga to open this new PAC” he continued.

Also, the Minister revealed that, following the introduction of the chip-embedded biometric passport regime, officially launched on April 28, 2025 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, over 161,824 chip-embedded passports have been printed and more than half delivered to respective applicants.

“As of 10th September 2025, a total of 161,824 chip-embedded passports have been printed, of which 122,895 have been delivered to applicants. Our reforms have also addressed the critical issue of delays in the processing of passport applications”.

He said this had been made possible through the new passport operations, which provide 24-hour service.

“Additionally, we have rolled out 24-hour passport operations, ensuring a shorter turnaround time for passport issuance and delivery within 15 days to any part of the world,” he noted.

On passport application booklet fees, the Minister assured that he will keep his promise of fighting for a reduction in price of the booklets which were increased in 2024 by the Akufo-Addo led administration with justification that the adjustment was part of the 2023 Fees and Charges Regulations, L.I. 2481, which aimed to align service costs with production expenses.

According to the Minister, his outfit has submitted proposals to Parliament and await Parliament’s response on the case.

“The ministry has also received the tenders for the passport head office and annex building project and is currently evaluating them. I’m also pleased to inform this gathering that, in keeping our promise, we have submitted proposals to Parliament as contained in the new Fees and Charges Bill for reduction in passport fees from 500 Ghana cedis to 350 Ghana cedis for the 32-page booklet. It is expected to come into force once Parliament resumes session and passes the new Fees and Charges Bill.

"Before Parliament went on break it was laid, and you know for laws it has to meet a 21-day count and we couldn’t get to 21 days before we took the break, but when we resume certainly the count will be on and after 21 days this will come into force”.

The Fees and Charges Bill is a legislative framework that governs how public institutions in Ghana set, adjust, and collect fees for services they provide. It’s designed to ensure transparency, consistency, and economic relevance in how citizens are charged for accessing government services.

The North Tongu MP also announced that the long-standing practice of applicants waiting about three months to receive their passports will soon be replaced with a same-day passport issuance service. This express delivery system is expected to greatly reduce the influence of middlemen, popularly known as “goro boys,” who charge applicants exorbitant fees to expedite application services.

“Meanwhile, we are also introducing a same-day passport delivery service for those with emergencies and members of the business community who may require super express service with a shorter turnaround time beyond the expedited service that we already render, and this is also contained in the new Fees and Charges. So when this new Fees and Charges matures, you will see that a new service provision will come into force where you can obtain a passport in a day without going through a middleman or a “goro boy” as they are infamously called, he added.

He noted that the new development marks significant progress in the country’s passport reform agenda. The reform initiatives surrounding the new passports also include 24-hour operations, e-tracking, and reduced application fees, all aimed at improving the overall experience for applicants.

The ministry has emphasized that the passport overhaul is an integral component of a comprehensive initiative aimed at modernizing the system, eliminating intermediaries, and ensuring a more transparent and user-centric application process.

In addition, the rollout will include several reforms throughout 2025, such as 24/7 passport processing, courier delivery to both home and office addresses, electronic application tracking, and a 30% reduction in processing fees.

As an upgrade to the current biometric passport, the new chip-embedded passport also boasts an improved design that reflects Ghana’s rich cultural heritage. The passport design incorporates Adinkra symbols such as “Fawohodie” (Freedom and Independence) and “Funtunfunefu Denkyemfunefu” (Democracy and Cooperation).

The new chip-embedded passport, which was rolled out on April 28, represents a major shift from the outgoing biometric system and brings Ghana in line with international travel standards. The updated document contains 175 security features and is embedded with nanotechnology to safeguard against fraud and damage.

It also includes a compressed polymer-based biographical data page, which users are advised to handle carefully. Ghanaians still holding valid biometric passports can continue using them until 2030 in line with regulations set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), though they may opt to upgrade to the new version at any time.

Biometric Travel Solutions spearheaded the development of the new passport platform, with Troskit and Ghana Post leading courier services under a 24-hour operational model. In May, the minister announced that a total of 31,935 passports had been printed.