The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) on Monday, 29th December, 2025 commissioned the Passport Application Centre in Dambai, bringing passport services closer to residents of the Oti Region. It is recalled that the Honourable Minister made a pledge that by the end of the year 2025 all the regional capitals in the country would have Passport Application Centres to address the challenge where some sections of Ghanaians had to commute to other regions for passport services. The commissioning today, makes Oti Region the first among the newly created regions to be provided with a Passport Application Centre.
The Honourable Minister in his remarks outlined ongoing passport administration reforms including the opening of Passport Application Centres in all regional capitals, the deployment of mobile biometric equipment, enhanced vetting processes and broader digitisation initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, security and turnaround times, reduction in passport application fees from GH?500.00 to GH?350.00, free courier delivery of passports, introduction of an e-tracking system to enable applicants to monitor the status of their applications to enhance transparency and accountability and provision of same-day passport processing service to cater for emergencies.
He emphasised the commitment of Government in safeguarding the integrity of the Ghana’s passport and stated that only eligible citizens would be permitted to acquire the document. He then cautioned that measures have been put in place to ensure the swift apprehension of non-Ghanaians who attempt to acquire passports through unlawful means. The Minister urged applicants to adhere strictly to approved application procedures and to avoid the use of intermediaries. He also assured of the Ministry’s continued commitment to improving passport service delivery across the country.
He further informed that ten (10) applicants from the Oti Region had already submitted their passport applications and indicated that the newly commissioned centre was fully operational and ready to process applications and deliver passports within the stipulated period, which is under 15 days for regular applications.
On his part, the Regional Minister of Oti Region, Honourable John Kwadwo Gyapong, described the opening of the application centre as a significant demonstration of Government’s commitment to decentralisation and equitable access to essential public services for all Ghanaians. He noted that prior to the opening of the application centre, residents had to travel long distances for passport services. He said the application centre would reduce travel time. The Regional Minister commended the collaborative efforts of regional stakeholders and urged staff to uphold professionalism, integrity and excellence in service delivery.
The Member of Parliament for Krachi West and Member of the Ministerial Advisory Board, Honourable Helen Adjoa Ntoso expressed confidence that the application centre would improve service delivery for residents.
Present at the event were the Traditional Leaders in the region, Members of Parliament, members of the Regional Security Council, staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among others.
