Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, has expressed his disapproval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration’s astronomical increase in passport application fees.
The new charges were announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in a statement issued on Monday, 1st April.
“We insisted at Committee that the worst-case scenario could be a graduated approach when economic conditions improve but alas, they ignored our advice and have gone ahead to impose these insensitive rates in one fell swoop. The Ministry should reconsider this inimical action immediately. We shall surely revisit this matter when Parliament resumes from recess.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency
Reacting to the new charges, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the ranking member of the foreign affairs committee of parliament said, “I am disappointed in Ghana’s Foreign Ministry for the astronomical increases in passport application fees”.
The Ministry announced that an expedited application for a 48-page passport booklet now costs ¢800 while an expedited service for a 32-page passport will cost ¢700.
Mr. Ablakwa noted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) always maintained at the Foreign Affairs Committee, that the current economic crisis and unprecedented high cost of living make it untenable to impose these draconian fees.
However, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, justified the hike by stating that the current fees do not cover the production costs, with the government having to contribute GH¢300 for every passport acquired.
She emphasized that passports are no longer primarily used as identification documents in Ghana but are required for travel purposes, suggesting that the increase in fees is necessary for the government to cover the costs of producing passports.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to inform its valued clients that, under the charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations, 2023 (L.I 2481), there will be an adjustment in the charges for all services provided by the Ministry. The adjustment will take effect from Monday, 1st April, 2024.”
Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration
This increase in the fees from the current GH¢100 to GH¢644 reflects the increased printing costs to mitigate losses incurred by the state in printing passports. Ghanaians would be required to pay ¢500 and ¢644, respectively for a 32-page and 48-page passport as standard applicants.
Implications on Increased Passport Application Fees
The proposal to increase passport application fees by 544% from GH¢100 to GH¢644 is expected to have several impacts on the citizens of Ghana.
The most immediate impact will be the financial burden on Ghanaians, especially those who need passports for travel. The increase from GH¢100 to GH¢644 represents a significant expense, which could strain the financial resources of many individuals and families. This could potentially lead to delays in travel plans or the need to seek alternative identification documents for travel purposes.
The hike in passport fees could also have broader economic implications. It might discourage travel, both domestic and international, as the cost of obtaining a passport becomes a significant barrier. This could lead to a decrease in tourism, which is a significant source of revenue for the country, and potentially affect other sectors that rely on international trade and travel.
Despite the increase in fees, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration assures that the quality and efficiency of passport services will not be compromised. However, the increased cost could lead to a greater reliance on digital services to reduce the human interface in the process, which might not be fully realized if there are still significant delays or inefficiencies in the digital process.
The significant increase in passport application fees raises questions about consumer rights and the government’s moral right to justify such a drastic hike. Critics argue that if the government can increase charges by 544%, it should not expect traders and others to reduce their prices and charges. This could lead to a debate on the fairness of such a policy and its impact on the overall economy and the well-being of Ghanaians.
While the increase in passport application fees is aimed at making the passport issuance process more self-sustaining and covering the costs of printing passports, it is likely to have a significant impact on the financial well-being of Ghanaians, potentially affecting travel, tourism, and the broader economy.
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