Ghanaians have received a stern advisory to refrain from applying for passports unless there is an urgent need for it.

The caution comes from Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

In a press briefing addressing public discontent over the new charges on Tuesday, April 2, the former Anyaa-Sowutum MP emphasized that passports are not the primary form of identification for citizenship in the country.

She urged citizens not to burden themselves unnecessarily with passport applications if they do not have immediate travel plans.

Madam Botchwey highlighted that adhering to this advice would alleviate pressure on passport production in the country.

“Today as we speak, we have the National Identification that is working very well, so that’s our primary source of identification. No longer the passport.

“And even those who have the National ID can travel into the country with it. So, then I’m asking humbly Ghanaians that please, if you do not need a passport because you cannot afford it.

"Please, humbly, I’m asking you not to go for a passport because it’s no longer your primary source of identification.”

However, she clarified that the new charges, which have sparked criticism, were approved by Parliament and were not unilaterally introduced by her ministry.

“Fees come from the Parliament of Ghana. We make a presentation to them; we give them the bare facts of what it is. Parliament is aware of this and this document charges came from Parliament.

"If Parliament decides, we should go back, we will have to look at it, it is Parliament that has decided and we will go by it.”