"Foreign Minister Ablakwa Unveils Plans for 24-Hour Passport Service"

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced plans to introduce a 24-hour passport issuance service as part of broader reforms aimed at improving efficiency and reducing bureaucratic delays.

Speaking in an interview with TV3 on Saturday, February 8, Ablakwa described the current passport processing system as inadequate and pledged to implement digital solutions and administrative improvements to accelerate service delivery.

“It is unacceptable for Ghanaians to endure long waiting periods for passports. My vision is to establish a 24-hour service that ensures swift and reliable passport issuance,” Ablakwa said.

The minister, who took office on February 7, said the initiative would involve expanding processing centres, leveraging technology, and decentralizing passport services to improve accessibility nationwide.

Ablakwa also revealed that the ministry was grappling with a backlog of more than 75,000 unclaimed passports, adding that an audit would be conducted to clear outstanding applications.

“This is about serving the people better. We will do whatever it takes to make passport acquisition a seamless process for all Ghanaians,” he said.

The move aligns with the government’s broader digitalization agenda and follows mounting public frustration over long processing times for essential documents.