By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, March 13, 2025, GNA – The government has announced plans to reduce the cost of an ordinary passport from GH¢500 to GH¢350.
The reduction when implemented will represent a more than 25 per cent decrease aimed at making passports more accessible while maintaining high security standards.
The then Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration had previously announced an increase in passport fees in April 2024, clarifying that the decision was in line with the 2023 Fees and Charges Regulations, Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2481.
Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, announced in a response to a question on the floor of Parliament on Thursday.
Mr. Ekow Vincent Assafuah, the New Patriotic Party Memeber of Parliament for Old Tafo asked the minister the plans of the government to ensure the accessibility of the chip-embedded passport launched by the previous govenment on December 2 2024
“Mr. Speaker, the government recognises concerns about the affordability of the new passport and is committed to ensuring that the cost remains reasonable while maintaining high security standards. In our effort to make passports more accessible to all Ghanaians, and per the instruction I have received from the president, we are pleased to announce that the cost of the ordinary passport booklet, the 32-page, will be reduced from GH¢500 to GH¢350,” he said.
“Mr. Speaker, we will, in the coming days, be presenting the amendment of the fees and charges to ensure that this reduction is approved by the House,” he added.
Mr Ablakwa also revealed that the Ministry would introduce a door-to-door passport delivery service as part of its new 24-hour service initiative.
GNA
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