The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in Ghana is considering a significant increase in the passport application fee. Currently set at US$8, the ministry believes that the existing fee is insufficient to cover the costs associated with procuring, processing, and issuing passports. In addition, the government plans to introduce chip-embedded passports in the near future, replacing the current biometric passports. These changes aim to enhance security and align with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Proposed Increase in Passport Application Fee
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is expected to request an upward review of the passport application fee from US$8 to US$40. The current fee, which is among the lowest in the West African sub-region, has been deemed inadequate to meet the expenses incurred in providing efficient passport services. By increasing the fee, the ministry aims to recover costs and bring Ghana's passport fees in line with neighboring countries like Liberia.
According to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the supplier of passport booklets for both Ghana and Liberia is the same company. Therefore, Ghana's passport is heavily subsidized, and the funds that should be allocated for improving service delivery are currently being used to subsidize the cost of passport applications. The proposed fee adjustment will help address this issue and ensure sustainable funding for passport services.
Introduction of Chip-Embedded Passports
In addition to the proposed fee increase, the Ghanaian government plans to introduce chip-embedded passports in the second quarter of 2024. This transition from biometric passports to chip-embedded passports is a requirement set by the ICAO, the United Nations agency responsible for civil aviation. The chip-embedded passports will be linked to national identification systems and will contain biometric information that can authenticate the identity of the passport holder.
Deputy Minister Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong emphasized that the shift from biometric to chip-embedded passports is crucial for security purposes. The enhanced technology will make it significantly more difficult for non-Ghanaians and fraudsters to acquire counterfeit passports. By upgrading to chip-embedded passports, Ghana aims to strengthen its security measures and align with global advancements in digitalization.
Summary
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration's proposal to increase the passport application fee from US$8 to US$40 reflects the need for sustainable funding to provide efficient passport services. By aligning Ghana's passport fees with those of neighboring countries, the ministry aims to ensure adequate resources for procuring, processing, and issuing passports. Additionally, the introduction of chip-embedded passports in 2024 will enhance security measures and align Ghana with international standards set by the ICAO. These advancements demonstrate Ghana's commitment to modernization and digitalization, ultimately benefiting both citizens and the nation as a whole.
(This article is sourced from aviationghana.com and curated by Thetransporteronline24)
