The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at delivering passports directly to their owners through e-trackable courier services across all 16 regions of Ghana. This initiative will begin today, Monday, April 28.
Mr. Ablakwa explained that the goal of this program is to eliminate the frustrations that applicants often face during the passport acquisition process. He noted that over 70,000 passports remain uncollected due to these difficulties.
In a post on his X page on Sunday, April 27, he stated, “Currently, there are over 70,000 uncollected passports. The frustration experienced by many applicants leads them to give up. Our convenient e-trackable delivery via courier, which starts tomorrow [Monday, April 28], will put an end to this nightmare. We are here to serve you.”
Additionally, Ghana is set to introduce chip-embedded passports starting April 28, 2025, as part of new reforms introduced by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. This advancement, according to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, will enable Ghana to meet international standards in passport security. The new travel document will feature advanced security elements, including nanotechnology and micro radio frequency identification (RFID) chips, making it virtually impossible to forge. The first chip-embedded passport is expected to be officially produced on April 28, 2025.
“Ghana’s journey with chip-embedded passports began in 2010 when biometric passports were first introduced. However, the integration of a microchip containing the holder’s biometric data, including fingerprints and facial recognition, was not included at that time,” the minister explained when announcing the rollout date. He emphasized that this development represents a significant advancement in the effort to address emerging threats and secure the integrity of Ghana’s travel documents.
Mr. Ablakwa stated, “We have collaborated closely with both international and local partners, as well as experts, to ensure our passport meets the highest standards of security and authenticity. This aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, specifically ICAO Document 9303, which provides guidelines for implementing Machine-Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs) and e-Passports. This modernization effort aims to enhance border security, reduce identity fraud, and streamline international travel for Ghanaians.”
He also added, “The era of middlemen and unofficial agents operating within our passport offices is unequivocally over. We strongly advise all citizens to interact directly with our official channels and follow established procedures when applying for or renewing their passports. By doing so, citizens can avoid the pitfalls associated with intermediaries who often exploit unsuspecting applicants, demanding unnecessary fees and causing delays.”
Regarding the promise of a 24-hour passport service, the minister expressed his satisfaction in announcing that a 24-hour passport service with door-to-door delivery will begin on April 28, 2025, ensuring greater convenience, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
“Applicants will now have their passports securely delivered to their doorstep. It is important for applicants to provide accurate addresses and contact information to facilitate seamless delivery. In partnership with reputable courier providers, the Ministry guarantees secure and reliable passport distribution both within Ghana and abroad. The Ministry remains committed to enhancing accessibility and efficiency in passport services for all citizens.”