The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has unveiled an ambitious plan to ensure that every region in Ghana will have its own passport application centre by the end of December 2025. This move is aimed at improving access to passport services and easing the burdens many Ghanaians face when trying to acquire or renew their passports.
Currently, seven of Ghana’s sixteen regions lack passport application centres. This has forced thousands of applicants to travel long distances, often to Accra, Kumasi or Tamale, to access these services. The result has been not only logistical stress for citizens but also overcrowding at the existing centres.
Speaking at a ceremony to honour five prominent Ghanaians with diplomatic passports, Mr Ablakwa highlighted the urgent need to decentralise passport services. The event also served as a platform to share progress made in ongoing reforms within the passport office.
Bolgatanga to Host First of New Centres
According to the Minister, the first of the new regional passport application centres will be commissioned in Bolgatanga, the capital of the Upper East Region, before the end of October 2025. This marks the beginning of the government’s broader effort to close the regional gap in passport service availability.
“We still have seven regions without passport application centres. By December, we will ensure that every region has one, starting with Bolgatanga this month,” Mr Ablakwa announced.
He emphasized that access to official identification and travel documents is not a privilege but a right for every Ghanaian, no matter where they reside.
Honouring Ghanaian Icons
The occasion also saw the presentation of diplomatic passports to five distinguished Ghanaians who have made significant contributions in their respective fields and have represented Ghana positively on the global stage.
Those honoured were:
Wode Maya, a popular travel vlogger who has helped change the African narrative through social media content and digital storytelling.
Rocky Dawuni, a Grammy-nominated reggae artist whose music and activism have earned him international acclaim.
Anita Erskine, a media personality and entrepreneur known for her work in women empowerment and youth development.
Ibrahim Mahama, a contemporary artist whose large-scale installations and global exhibitions have made waves in the international art world.
Dentaa Amoateng MBE, a British-Ghanaian entrepreneur and philanthropist, widely recognized for her efforts in promoting Ghanaian culture and excellence through initiatives like the GUBA Awards.
The Minister praised their dedication and commitment to promoting Ghana internationally and described them as national treasures.
“We believe in recognising and honouring those who have used their platforms to make Ghana proud. These individuals continue to showcase the best of our country to the world,” he said.
Passport Reforms Bearing Fruit
Mr Ablakwa also took the opportunity to highlight recent improvements within the passport application process, which he said are already yielding positive results for applicants.
Among the notable reforms is the partnership with courier services, which now allows applicants to receive their passports directly at their homes. This new system has significantly reduced congestion at collection centres and eliminated the need for applicants to make repeated trips.
“The days of long queues and unnecessary waiting are gradually being phased out,” he noted. “Our goal is to make the passport application experience efficient, accessible, and dignified for all Ghanaians.”
He further explained that digitisation has played a key role in improving service delivery. The use of online application portals has made it easier for people to apply for passports from the comfort of their homes. However, he acknowledged that access to digital tools remains a challenge for some citizens, especially in rural areas.
Decentralisation as a Long-Term Strategy
The Minister stressed that the government’s broader vision is not just about opening new centres, but about building an inclusive passport system that reflects the country’s regional diversity and brings essential services closer to the people.
“For far too long, residents in many regions have had to travel for hours just to access a basic national service. This is not only inconvenient but also unfair. Every Ghanaian deserves the same level of access regardless of location,” he stated.
He added that the upcoming centres will be equipped with the latest technology to process biometric data, reduce fraud, and speed up application processing times.
Local personnel will also be trained and recruited to manage these centres, which is expected to create employment opportunities and reduce the backlog of applications that occasionally slow down service in the major cities.
Citizens Welcome the Move
News of the planned regional expansion has been met with enthusiasm by many Ghanaians, particularly in underserved regions. Several residents in the Upper East, North East, and Oti regions, for instance, have expressed relief at the prospect of no longer needing to make long journeys to Accra or Tamale for passport services.
For many, especially students, traders, and families seeking visas for travel, the absence of a nearby passport centre has been a costly and time-consuming barrier. Some applicants have had to postpone travel plans or even miss scholarship opportunities abroad because of delays in passport issuance.
“I had to travel from Bawku to Accra just to apply for my passport. It cost me a lot and took a whole week out of my time,” said Adiza Yakubu, a university student who welcomed the news. “If this new centre in Bolgatanga works well, it will really change things for us.”
Challenges Ahead
Despite the optimism, the task of setting up functional, well-managed passport centres in all seven remaining regions is no small feat. Funding, staffing, infrastructure, and quality control will all be critical to the success of the plan.
There are also concerns about ensuring that new centres maintain the same standard of service as those in Accra or Kumasi. Mr Ablakwa acknowledged these concerns and assured the public that quality will not be compromised.
“We are not just setting up buildings. We are creating systems that must work efficiently and uphold the dignity of the Ghanaian people,” he said.
Looking Forward
As the government pushes forward with its plan to expand passport services, it also underscores a larger commitment to decentralising public services and building a more inclusive society. The move aligns with national development goals that focus on equality, access, and modernisation of government services.
If successfully implemented, the plan to establish passport offices in all regions could serve as a blueprint for other services such as immigration, health, and education to follow suit.
By December 2025, if every region is equipped with a passport application centre as promised, it will mark a major milestone in the history of Ghana’s passport services and a clear message that no Ghanaian should be left behind in accessing their right to travel and identity.
