Passport Office to Operate 24/7 Under Government’s 24-Hour Economy Initiative
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has directed staff at the Passport Office to prepare for a transition to a 24-hour operational model aimed at expediting passport issuance.
Speaking at the Passport Office headquarters in Accra, Mr Ablakwa emphasized that under the government’s 24-hour economy policy, the issuance of passports should be significantly accelerated, with applicants receiving their documents within a week.
“You have also heard about our big reforms that we want to carry out. We want the Passport Administration in our country to become a 24-hour operation,” he stated.
“This year [2025], you need to stand and get ready; prepare yourselves. We’re going to run three shifts. We want to cut down on the waiting time for passports. We believe that within a week, it should be possible to get a Ghanaian passport when you apply for it. The 24-hour economy intervention we’re making will address that,” he added.
As part of broader modernization efforts, Mr Ablakwa also revealed plans to introduce chip-embedded passports, enhancing security and aligning Ghana with international standards. Additionally, the government intends to integrate passport data with the National Identification Authority (NIA) system to streamline applicant verification.
In a move to make passport services more accessible, the Minister disclosed plans to revise passport fees. While ordinary applicants are expected to see a reduction in costs, premium services will attract higher fees to balance the financial implications of the reform.
The shift to a 24-hour operational model is expected to improve efficiency, eliminate long delays, and enhance service delivery for all Ghanaians seeking passports.
