Chip-embedded Passport Regime Goes Live
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun rolling out chip-embedded passports.
Ghana switched to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standardized prescription on Monday, April 29, 2025.
Alongside the upgrade, the Ministry is implementing some reforms to make the application process easier and convenient.
First is the 24-Hour Operations which will witness the processing of passport around the clock.
The Ministry is also starting direct passport delivery through courier with Ghana Post as its lead partner; Initiated an e-tracking System; Guaranteed passport delivery not exceeding 15 days; and reduced Application Fees from GHS500 to GHS350.
However, the fee as approved by Cabinet will take effect when Parliament returns from recess and amends the Fees and Charges Act.
The sector Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is hopeful that the reforms rolled out will eliminate middlemen in the process.
“With these reforms, we aim to totally eliminate the phenomenon of ‘goro boys’ who exploit unnecessary delays and also end the era of uncollected passports due to red tape and frustration.”
The Ghanaian chip-embedded passport was launched by President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in December 2024 in response to technological evolution.
The travel document has a microprocessor that embeds the holder’s biometric and photo information as well as unique security features such as an anti-fraud measure, with both latent and patent indicators to ensure unimpeachable security.
The project began in 2016 through the partnership of Biometric Travel Solutions Limited (BTS), a private Ghanaian firm.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor in 2022 said the introduction of the system will largely enhance the security features of Ghana’s passport in line with the standards prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
