Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Proposes GH¢400 As New Application Fee For Passports

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has submitted a proposal to Parliament seeking to revise the current charges for passport applications in Ghana, elevating the existing fee from GH¢100 to GH¢400. The proposed amendment, which is currently under review by the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation, aims to address financial losses incurred in the production of passport booklets.

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During the parliamentary session, Minister of Foreign Affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey highlighted the necessity of this adjustment, emphasizing the need for Ghanaians to bear more realistic costs for obtaining passports, especially in light of the prevailing economic constraints. Minister Botchwey expressed concerns about the sustainability of the current practice, underlining that the state's subsidy of passports was no longer viable, given the significant production costs involved.

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Ahead of the approval of the GH¢1.127 million budget estimates for her ministry, Minister Botchwey underscored how Ghana's passport charges compare unfavorably with those of other West African countries. The report from the Committee on Foreign Affairs revealed that Ghana's passport fees, at approximately $7.7, are notably lower compared to those of neighboring nations such as Cameroon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria.

In an interaction with Graphic Online's Nana Konadu Agyeman, Minister Ayorkor Botchwey stressed the looming deficits in passport booklet printing, hindering essential investments within the Passport Office. Recognizing that passports are primarily sought for travel purposes and are no longer primary means of identification due to the availability of national IDs, she advocated for a more realistic fee structure in line with economic realities.

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The minister also urged individuals not in immediate need of passports to refrain from unnecessary applications, given the proposed cost adjustments. Furthermore, she addressed concerns regarding the quality of services and application centers, highlighting the ministry's efforts to enhance applicant experience through options for consular services, passports, visas, and attestations, with specific premium services available for those desiring world-class service experiences.

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This proposal, if approved, could potentially align passport fees with production costs, fostering greater sustainability for the issuance of passports within Ghana. While the adjustment may represent an increased financial responsibility for the public, it also reflects the government's imperative to ensure the stability and efficacy of essential services, amidst evolving economic dynamics and international benchmarks.

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