Ghana has reached a major milestone in public service delivery with the completion of seven new Passport Application Centres, securing full nationwide access to passport services across all 16 regions.
The achievement fulfills a pledge by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to correct regional disparities in passport access and bring essential services closer to citizens.
Announcing the development, Hon. Ablakwa confirmed that every region of Ghana now hosts a functional Passport Application Centre. He described the outcome as the result of deliberate planning and political will, noting that the expansion reflects the practical execution of President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda.
According to the minister, the agenda is rooted in equity and national inclusion, ensuring that no region is excluded from vital state services. The final phase of the rollout followed the recent commissioning of the Oti Regional Passport Application Centre in Dambai.
Hon. Ablakwa indicated that the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Assin North, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, is leading the commissioning of centres in the Ahafo, Bono East and Western North regions. He added that he would personally oversee the commissioning of centres in the North East and Savannah regions, completing the nationwide coverage.
Deputy Minister’s Confirmation
Hon. Quayson, writing from Techiman, confirmed the commissioning of the Bono East Regional Passport Application Centre. He explained that the exercise was carried out in line with the President’s vision to reset public service delivery and reduce the stress associated with passport acquisition.
He further announced that the team would proceed to Goaso on the 31st to continue the process in the Ahafo Region, calling on residents to participate as the expansion continues.
The establishment of the seven new centres addresses a long-standing gap that existed when Hon. Ablakwa assumed office. At the time, seven regions, Upper East, Savannah, North East, Oti, Ahafo, Bono East and Western North, lacked permanent Passport Application Centres.
Residents in those regions were often required to travel to distant regional capitals, increasing costs and prolonging processing times. The new centres are expected to significantly ease these burdens while reducing congestion at older facilities.
Reset Passport Reforms
The nationwide expansion forms part of a broader reform programme launched in 2025 and known as the Reset Passport Reforms. Spearheaded by the Foreign Affairs Minister, the reforms were designed to modernize Ghana’s passport system, clear persistent application backlogs, and improve accessibility and security.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described the reforms as a comprehensive overhaul of infrastructure, processes and service delivery standards. A central component of the reforms was Ghana’s transition to chip embedded polycarbonate passports on April 28, 2025.
The new passports comply with International Civil Aviation Organization standards and are intended to enhance security, durability, and international acceptance. Officials say the chip-embedded technology significantly reduces the risk of forgery and strengthens identity verification.
Affordability has also been a key focus. Effective November 13, 2025, the application fee for a standard 32 page passport was reduced by 30 percent, from GH¢500 to GH¢350. The ministry explained that the reduction was aimed at easing the financial burden on applicants and encouraging wider access to valid travel documentation.
To address processing delays, the Passport Head Office and other high demand centres introduced 24 hour operations. This measure, combined with streamlined procedures, has helped reduce backlogs that accumulated over previous years.
New processing timelines now target delivery within 15 days for standard applications, while same-day expedited services have been introduced for applicants with urgent travel needs.
Nationwide Courier Delivery Service
The reforms also introduced a nationwide courier delivery service, allowing applicants to receive their passports directly at their homes. This service eliminates the need for return visits to application centres and is supported by a digital tracking system that enables applicants to monitor the progress of their applications in real time from approval to delivery.
Security and transparency have remained central to the reform agenda. Automation and stricter vetting processes were implemented to curb the activities of unauthorized middlemen, commonly known as goro boys.
The system has also been integrated with the Ghana Card, allowing biometric data to be leveraged and potentially reducing the need for repeated physical visits for applicants who already possess the national identification card.
In addition, the ministry has explored further restructuring of fees to provide relief for vulnerable groups such as students and elderly citizens. Although these measures are still under consideration, officials say they reflect a broader commitment to inclusive access and social equity.
With Passport Application Centres now operational in all 16 regions, the government says attention will shift to sustaining efficiency and public confidence in the system.
For many Ghanaians, the completion of the seven new regional centres represents a tangible outcome of reforms aimed at delivering accessible, secure and equitable passport services nationwide.
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