The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has inaugurated a new Passport Application Centre in Dambai, the capital of the Oti Region, marking a significant step in the government’s effort to decentralise public services and make passport acquisition more accessible to citizens outside major urban centres.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Minister said the opening of the Oti Regional Passport Application Centre reflects a deliberate policy choice to ensure that national development and public services are not concentrated in a few regions. He stressed that access to essential government services should not depend on where a citizen lives.
According to Hon Ablakwa, the Mahama administration is working toward a clear target of establishing Passport Application Centres in all sixteen regions by the end of December 2025.
He described the initiative as part of a broader commitment to inclusive development and equal access to state institutions. He noted that for many years, residents in newly created and less resourced regions had been compelled to travel long distances to access basic services, a situation the government is determined to correct.
With the commissioning of the Dambai centre, the Minister announced that preparations are underway to open additional centres in the Savannah, North East, Western North, Ahafo and Bono East regions before the close of the year.
Full Regional Coverage
He explained that once these facilities become operational, Ghana will achieve full regional coverage for passport application services, significantly reducing pressure on existing centres in Accra and other major cities.
Hon. Ablakwa also used the occasion to issue a firm warning to individuals who attempt to acquire Ghanaian passports through illegal means. He described such acts as serious criminal offences that undermine national security and the integrity of the country’s travel documents. He assured the public that the Ministry has strengthened internal controls to detect and prevent fraudulent applications.
He said passport application staff across the country have undergone retraining, while stricter vetting procedures have been introduced to ensure that only qualified applicants are issued Ghanaian passports.
According to him, the Ministry is staying ahead of emerging fraud tactics through improved systems, enhanced background checks, and closer collaboration with security agencies.
Improving Efficiency through Reforms
In addition to security measures, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has introduced reforms aimed at improving efficiency and reducing inconvenience for applicants. One of the key changes allows applicants to receive their passports without having to return physically to the application centre.
The Minister explained that the reform is intended to save time, cut travel costs and reduce congestion at passport offices, particularly for applicants from remote areas.
The Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, welcomed the establishment of the Passport Application Centre in Dambai, describing it as a long overdue intervention that brings dignity and relief to residents of the region.
He recalled that until now, applicants were often forced to travel to Ho, Tamale or even Accra to process their passports, incurring high transportation costs and spending days away from work and family.
According to Mr Gyapong, the new facility will significantly ease the burden on residents and eliminate the frustration that often accompanied the passport application process. He said the presence of the centre in the regional capital symbolises recognition of the Oti Region’s needs and aspirations.
He urged residents to take ownership of the facility, protect public property and use the centre responsibly. He also encouraged eligible residents to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire passports legally and through the proper channels, noting that the availability of the service locally removes the need for intermediaries.
The commissioning of the Dambai Passport Application Centre is expected to reduce the activities of middlemen who exploit applicants by charging exorbitant fees. By bringing services closer to the people, authorities believe the process will become more transparent, affordable and efficient.
The expansion of passport services aligns with the government’s broader agenda of decentralisation and administrative reform. By situating key public services at the regional level, the government aims to promote equity, improve service delivery, and strengthen public trust in state institutions.
As the remaining centres are rolled out across the country, officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs say they will continue to monitor operations, refine procedures and ensure that the integrity of Ghana’s passport system is maintained.
For residents of the Oti Region, the opening of the new centre represents a tangible improvement in access to essential government services and a practical demonstration of inclusive governance.
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