In a bid to improve access to passport services, the Ghanaian government has announced plans to establish application centers in all 16 regions of the country.
The move, aimed at decentralizing passport services, is expected to ease the burden on the existing application facility in Accra, which has been struggling to cope with high demand.
According to Samuel Okudzato Ablakwa, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the new regional centers will provide a more convenient and efficient way for citizens to apply for passports.
By expanding passport services to the regional level, the government hopes to reduce the need for citizens to travel long distances to access these services. This is expected to save time and money for applicants, while also reducing congestion at the Accra facility.
While there are no immediate plans to establish passport application centers at the district level, the government is confident that the regional offices will be sufficient to meet the needs of citizens.
The introduction of regional passport centers is part of a broader effort to reform Ghana’s passport services, which have faced criticism for inefficiencies and delays.