Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that Ghana now has 13 passport application centres across nine regions, as part of government reforms to improve passport services.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, September 15, the Minister said, "Currently, we have 13 passport application centres in nine regions. Greater Accra hosts three centres, while the Ashanti and Northern regions have two each. The remaining centres are located in the Upper West, Eastern, Central, Volta, Western, and Bono regions, with one centre each.”

Mr Ablakwa added that efforts are underway to open seven more centres to serve the six newly created regions and Bolgatanga, the capital of the Upper East Region.

“I am glad to note that the Bolgatanga passport application centre will be fully operational next month, in October,” he disclosed.

He explained that the expansion is part of wider reforms his ministry has rolled out to transform passport administration and make services more accessible to Ghanaians.

“I am pleased to report that the recent reforms undertaken by my ministry in respect of passport administration have already begun yielding significant results,” he said.

The Minister highlighted the successful rollout of the chip-embedded passport on 28 April 2025, making Ghana one of the few African countries to implement the internationally compliant travel document.

“This next-generation passport boasts over 175 advanced security features, up from 32 in the previous version, and meets the highest international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation,” he explained, adding that it has “drastically improved the credibility and security of Ghanaian travel documents on the global stage.”

Mr Ablakwa also pointed to new initiatives designed to make passport services more inclusive.

“We enhanced our mobile passport application service to support applicants with limited mobility, starting with a specialised deployment to assist this year’s Hajj pilgrims. This is a demonstration of commitment to inclusive service delivery,” he said.

To further ease access, the ministry has launched a home delivery service for passports in partnership with two courier companies. According to him, this symbolises “our new approach of bringing our government closer to the people.”

Providing updates, the Minister revealed that as of September 10, a total of 161,825 chip-embedded passports had been printed, of which 122,895 were successfully delivered to applicants.

He added that over 17,000 passport backlogs he inherited when he assumed office have been cleared.

“I inherited over 70,000 backlogs waiting for months before a passport is issued, and being exploited by the infamous ‘goro boys.’ These are all behind us now. And we dare say that they are gone for good,” he said.

The Government Accountability Series provides a platform for sector ministers to present mid-year updates and preliminary assessments of the government’s performance, as part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability.