Ghana has joined over 140 countries worldwide in issuing ePassports with embedded chips, marking a significant milestone in the country’s passport administration.
The mass rollout of chip-embedded passports, which began on April 28, 2025, is designed to modernize passport acquisition, enhance security, and provide citizens with a better experience.
The long journey of 15 years of striving for modernity and efficiency has been given a real definition.
Many past Foreign Ministers of Ghana attempted to make this dream a reality. Some efforts were made, but it has taken the youngest Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister to actualize this dream.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who can be best described as a workaholic, has achieved this goal and urged him on in just a few months in the ministry.
Paying huge tributes to his predecessors, Hanna Serwa Tetteh and Ayorkor Botchwey, shows that he understands governance as a continuum.
At the launch and rollout of the long-awaited e-passport, partners and government officials narrated the role the Minister played in making the day a reality. He personally joined the technical team in their test runs and made sure it worked, demonstrating his seriousness as a minister.
Ghana, per the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirement, has until 2030 to fully transition to the chip-embedded passport. For Ghana to be part of the less than 200 countries (as of December 2024) issuing chip-embedded passports deserves commendation. This is to facilitate the travel of citizens and enhance their business opportunities.
Benefits to Ghanaians:
Enhanced Security: The chip-embedded passports feature superior security measures, making them almost impossible to forge.
Faster Turnaround Time: Regular applications will be processed within 15 working days, while expedited services will take only 5 working days.
Convenience: The Passport Head Office will operate 24/7, and applicants can track the status of their applications through an e-tracking system.
Reduced Application Fees: Cabinet has approved a reduction in application fees from GHS500 to GHS350, pending parliamentary approval.
Courier Delivery: Ghana Post and Troskit will deliver passports to Ghanaians everywhere.
Meeting International Standards:
The new passports meet the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) requirements, and Ghana is now part of the growing list of countries issuing ePassports. According to the ICAO, current passports will become outdated by 2030.
What to Expect:
Citizens are advised to keep their chip-embedded passports away from heat and liquids.
Store them properly to prevent bending or damage.
Avoid inserting other chip-enabled cards into the passport.
Do not keep it in back pockets, where it could be bent or damaged.
A New Era for Passport Services:
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, emphasized that the introduction of chip-embedded passports symbolizes a reset and ushers in a new era of modernization, convenience, and respect for Ghanaian citizens. With the rollout of chip-embedded passports, Ghana is poised to enhance the security and efficiency of its passport administration, making it easier for citizens to travel and conduct international business.
Conclusion:
I see no reason why Ghana’s new passport should cost more than the existing one. In fact, the Minister has insisted on the reduction of passport fees by GHS150, which is very beneficial and essential to Ghanaians.
Ghanaians abroad have long faced difficulty acquiring passports without having to travel back home. With the Minister’s assurance that Ghanaians abroad will receive their passports without needing to return to Ghana, this is a refreshing change.
Research has shown that some people urgently needing passports for business and transactions have failed to acquire them within the limited time, losing valuable opportunities. The Minister’s assurance that passports will be processed in no more than 15 working days, if all documents are correct, will provide relief to many. Business professionals, athletes, footballers, women, and others will now be able to receive their passports promptly.
As we keep our eye on the successes at the ministry, we expect technocrats to continue to push the 24-hour passport agenda—not for any political party, but for Ghana and its citizens.
NOTE: Citizens can call the 24-hour hotline at 0302 75 4200 for information on the chip-embedded passport, irrespective of their location.
