NEWS

Passport Office Expands to 3 Shifts for Faster Processing – Ablakwa

Passport Office to Operate Three Shifts to Enhance Efficiency – Minister Ablakwa

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, has announced a significant operational change at the country’s passport office. The office will shortly adopt a three-shift work schedule—morning, evening, and nighttime shifts—as part of the government’s 24-hour economy drive to expedite passport processing processes.

“This year, we are making significant changes. The introduction of a three-shift system will drastically cut down waiting times for passport applicants,” Minister Ablakwa stated while addressing staff at the Passport Office in Accra.

He emphasized that the ultimate goal of these reforms is to ensure applicants receive their passports within a week of application. “We are committed to transforming passport services into a round-the-clock operation. Our aim is to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction,” he added.

To keep up with international technology improvements in travel paperwork, the government plans to implement chip-embedded passports in addition to longer working hours. In order to expedite applicant verification and remove duplication in the application process, Minister Ablakwa also disclosed intentions to merge the passport database with the National Identification Authority (NIA) system.

The government plans to lower prices for routine applications in order to make passport acquisition more accessible to regular residents. To account for the greater convenience and processing speed, premium and expedited passport service fees will go up.

These programs are in line with Ghana’s overarching goals of improving national security, updating public services, and increasing economic output. It is anticipated that the new reforms will greatly cut down on delays, eliminate inefficiencies, and enhance the Passport Office’s overall service delivery.