Refrain From Passport Applications If You Cannot Afford Them – Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey To Ghanaians
- Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey advocates for responsible passport application, emphasizing financial consideration.
- Concerns raised over passport application rates amidst economic challenges faced by citizens.
- Government seeks to ensure equitable access to essential documentation while managing national resources effectively.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has urged Ghanaian citizens to consider refraining from applying for passports if they cannot afford them.
In a press conference addressing journalists, she emphasized that passports are no longer the primary form of identification, with the National Identification system taking precedence.
“Today as we speak, we have the National Identification that is working very well, so that’s our primary source of identification. No longer the passport. And even those who have the National ID can travel into the country with it. So, then I’m asking humbly Ghanaians that please, if you do not need a passport and because you cannot afford it. Please, humbly, I’m asking you not to go for a passport because it’s no longer your primary source of identification.”
Expressing concern over the government’s heavy subsidy of passport applications, Botchwey highlighted potential compromises in service quality if the subsidy were to continue.
“If the government is subsidizing heavily, it’s difficult to provide any good services to Ghanaians.”
Botchwey also assured that the ministry would cooperate if Parliament decided to review the passport fees.
“Fees come from the Parliament of Ghana. We make a presentation to them; we give them the bare facts of what it is. Parliament is aware of this and this document charges came from Parliament. If Parliament decides, we should go back, we will have to look at it, it is Parliament that has decided and we will go by it.”
Clarifying that the fee increase is not intended to financially burden Ghanaians, the Ministry announced upward adjustments in passport fees and charges effective Monday, April 1, 2024. This decision aligns with the 2023 fees and charges regulations, L.I.2481.
According to the statement, the processing fee for an expedited 48-page passport is now GHS800, while a 32-page application costs GHS700.
