Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Emmanuel Victor Smith, received a six-member delegation from Ghana’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ways and Means, currently in the United States to engage in meetings and learn from international best practices relevant to their mandate.

The delegation, led by the Deputy Majority Leader and Chairman of the Committee, George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, MP for Cape Coast South, included the Vice-Chair, Patricia Appiagyei, MP for Asokwa; Dominic Napare, MP for Sene East; Frederick Addy, MP for Suaman; Felicia Agyei, MP for Kintampo South; and Madam Evelyn Boateng, Assistant Deputy Clerk and Clerk to the Committee.

Welcoming the delegation, Ambassador Smith expressed his delight and honour at hosting the first parliamentary group to visit since assuming office.

He commended the Committee for its commitment to strengthening parliamentary oversight and urged members to lend their support in addressing some of the operational challenges faced by the Embassy.

During an interactive session, the Head of the Consular Section Bernard Quantson briefed the delegation on the procedures for visa issuance and passport applications.

Mr. Quantson noted that, through the dedication and hard work of the Embassy staff, all backlogs were cleared by the end of June. He added that the Consular Section now processes an average of five hundred new applications daily, ensuring that all visa and passport requests are handled promptly and efficiently.

This, he said, has restored public confidence and significantly improved the Embassy’s service delivery.

The parliamentary delegation was later taken on a tour of the Consular Section to observe the visa printing process and the procedures for acquiring new passports.

Members expressed satisfaction with the improvements made and commended the Embassy staff for their professionalism and dedication to excellence.