Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced a special bonus for staff of Ghana’s Passport Administration following the institution’s recognition by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) as the country’s most transformed and least corrupt public institution. Mr Ablakwa made the announcement during a working visit to the Passport Head Office on Friday, August 14, where he congratulated management and staff for what he described as an impressive performance in the latest GSS assessment.
He said the bonus, expected to be paid next week, was intended to recognize the commitment and productivity of passport administration staff as the government continues to pursue sweeping reforms in the sector. According to the minister, the recognition by the GSS demonstrates that the changes introduced at the Passport Office are yielding tangible results and improving the experience of citizens seeking passport services. “We shall continue with our radical reforms driven by integrity, professionalism, innovation, client satisfaction and excellence,” Mr Ablakwa said.
He highlighted a series of changes implemented under what he described as Ghana’s “remarkable passport reset”, including the introduction of chip-embedded passports with enhanced security features and measures aimed at making Ghanaian passports more secure and difficult to obtain fraudulently. Mr Ablakwa also said the Passport Administration had cleared outstanding application backlogs following the commencement of 24-hour operations, while processing times had been significantly reduced.
He said applicants could now receive their passports within a few working days, with processing generally completed in under 15 days, without the involvement of intermediaries popularly known as “goro boys”. The minister further announced that passport processing fees had been reduced by 30 percent, a measure intended to make passport acquisition more affordable for Ghanaians.
Convenience for applicants has also been enhanced through the introduction of courier delivery services, while same-day passport processing has become possible under the new system. Another key reform, according to Mr Ablakwa, is the introduction of digital tracking, allowing applicants to monitor the progress of their applications rather than relying on middlemen or repeated visits to passport offices.
He said enhanced security protocols had also been introduced to prevent foreigners and other ineligible persons from illegally acquiring Ghanaian passports. A major expansion of access has been achieved through the establishment of Passport Application Centres in all 16 regions, which Mr Ablakwa described as a first in Ghana’s history.
The reforms, he said, form part of a broader effort to reposition passport administration as a modern, efficient and citizen-centred public service institution. The minister’s announcement of the staff bonus comes as the Passport Administration seeks to consolidate the gains made through the reforms while maintaining high standards of integrity and service delivery.
Mr Ablakwa said the government would continue to pursue measures that improve efficiency, strengthen security, eliminate corrupt practices and make public services more responsive to citizens. He stressed that the ultimate objective was not only to modernize passport administration but also to build an institution where professionalism, accountability and client satisfaction become the defining features of service delivery.
By: Joyce Owusu
