The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced a mass roll-out of passport reforms, effective today, Monday, April 28.
These reforms include a transition from biometric to chip-embedded passports, the introduction of a 24-hour passport processing service, courier delivery of passports to applicants’ doorsteps, an electronic tracking (e-tracking) system, and a 30% reduction in passport application fees.
The passport acquisition period will not exceed 15 working days, or five working days under expedited service, following the completion of the application process. All new passports will be integrated with the National Identification Authority’s database to streamline applicant verification. The new chip-embedded passports boast 175 security features, compared to the 32 features of the previous version.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, stated that this initiative is part of the government’s broader agenda to enhance passport security, eliminate intermediaries, and promote transparency. The upgraded chip-embedded passports, first launched on December 2, 2024, are designed to meet international standards while also showcasing Ghana’s cultural identity through iconic Adinkra symbols.
Speaking at the launch event at the Passport Headquarters in Accra, Ablakwa described the initiative as a critical milestone in digitizing public services and modernizing Ghana’s passport system. Each e-passport features a microchip that securely stores biometric and photographic data, along with advanced anti-fraud elements, including visible and hidden security markers, to ensure safer and more efficient travel.
“It is the first time sector players have collaborated to enhance security measures in compliance with ICAO travel document standards,” he noted. The incorporation of nanotechnology into the protective overlays on the bio page adds an extra layer of security, significantly upgrading the passport’s overall security features.
“The integration of a Micro Frequency Identification Chip that encodes and stores variable data of the bearer, including visual inspection, photo, and machine-readable information, crowns this package as an international standard travel document with first-class security approved by ICAO,” he stated.
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