Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has clarified that the recent adjustments to passport application fees in Ghana, which have sparked considerable controversy, were sanctioned by Parliament.

Madam Botchwey emphasised that Parliament holds the authority to endorse such fees before their implementation.

As a former Member of Parliament for Anyaa-Sowutum, she underscored their adherence to legally approved regulations in their operations.

However, Madam Botchwey addressing the media on Tuesday, April 2, stressed that the aim is not to dissuade Ghanaians from obtaining passports or impose undue financial burdens on citizens.

“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."

In contrast, she suggested that Ghanaians who cannot afford a passport should refrain from applying altogether.

Highlighting that passports are no longer the primary form of identification, she emphasized that those without a genuine need for them should abstain from the application process.

“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.”