NEWS

Govt Cuts Passport Fees by 30% for Easier Access

Government Announces 30% Reduction in Passport Application Fees to Enhance Accessibility

The Government of Ghana has officially announced a significant reduction in passport application fees, lowering the cost of an ordinary passport from GH₵500 to GH₵350. This 30% price cut aims to make passports more affordable while ensuring that security standards remain uncompromised. The move comes as part of the government’s broader initiative to ease the financial burden on citizens and improve accessibility to essential travel documents.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, made this revelation during a parliamentary session on March 13, 2025. Addressing concerns over the affordability of the newly priced passports, he stated, “The government recognizes the financial strain on Ghanaians and remains committed to ensuring that the cost of acquiring a passport is both reasonable and accessible. Under the directive of the President, we are pleased to announce that the cost of the 32-page ordinary passport booklet will be reduced from GH₵500 to GH₵350.”

Mr. Ablakwa further disclosed that a change to the Fees and Charges Regulations would shortly be submitted to Parliament for approval in order to enable this reduction. It is anticipated that this legal change will codify the fee reduction and guarantee its prompt adoption at all of the nation’s passport application facilities.

Introduction of Door-to-Door Passport Delivery Service

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration plans to launch a door-to-door passport delivery service in addition to the price reduction. The government’s new 24-hour passport service, which aims to do away with the present application process’s inefficiencies and delays, includes this effort. The implementation of this service will eliminate the need for frequent trips to passport offices by enabling Ghanaians to obtain their passports whenever it is most convenient for them. This statement comes after the contentious 2023 Fees and Charges Regulations, L.I. 2481, which raised passport fees in April 2024. The public’s outcry over the price increase forced the government to reevaluate and modify the levies.

Implications for Ghanaians

A significant portion of the populace is anticipated to gain from the move to reduce passport fees, especially first-time applicants and those with low incomes who previously found the payments unaffordable. For many Ghanaians looking to obtain or renew their passports, this decrease is a great relief as travel becomes more and more essential for personal, professional, and educational purposes. Residents are urged to keep an eye out for the official announcement of the new fees and delivery services’ effective dates as the government completes the legislative process necessary to put these changes into effect.

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

USEFUL LINKS