The Foreign Affairs Minister nominee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has highlighted the severe challenges currently facing Ghana's passport issuance system, revealing a backlog of over 70,000 uncollected passports.

Speaking on Friday, January 31, during his vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Mr Ablakwa pointed to systemic inefficiencies, including the involvement of middlemen, or "goro boys," in the process.

"I recall the former Foreign Minister, the Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botwey, storming the passport office in frustration and saying that look, this crisis cannot continue," Mr Ablakwa remarked during the session.

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The former minister’s public outburst was an indication of the deep frustration within the system, he said.

Mr Ablakwa emphasized that the current process needs an overhaul and that technology would be key to reforming the country’s passport regime.

One significant reform he proposed is the elimination of the need for Ghanaians with a valid Ghana Card to visit the passport office for biometric data collection.

“I don’t think that we should still be requiring Ghanaians who have the Ghana Card to go to the passport office for their biometrics,” he stated.

Mr Ablakwa’s vision is to leverage digital solutions to streamline the passport application process and reduce inefficiencies, making it more convenient and transparent for citizens.

With the backlog and corruption issues highlighted, Mr Ablakwa's commitment to technological reform could mark a significant turning point in efforts to modernize the country's consular services.

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