President Akufo-Addo Outdoors New Chip-Embedded Passport
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has launched the Ghana chip-embedded passport and digital innovation to catch up with the rest of the world.
The chip-embedded passport embodies cutting-edge technology designed to enhance document security, safeguard national identity and meet the stringent standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Speaking at the launch on Monday at the Accra International Conference Centre, President Akufo-Addo said the historic launch of the chip-embedded passport is a moment that goes beyond technology or government policy.
Describing the new passport as a “statement about who we are and the journey we are on as a people” President Akufo-Addo said, the e-passport is not just a travel document but a symbol of Ghana’s progress, resilience and readiness to embrace the future with confidence.
The President said, at its core, “The new passport is a pledge to protect the identity and dignity of every Ghanaian.
“With advanced biometric features securely embedded in a microchip, it is virtually impervious to tampering or forgery. This innovation is a crucial step in curbing identity theft and eliminating fraudulent access to Ghana’s travel documents.”
The passport aligns seamlessly with global systems, ensuring that Ghanaian travellers are recognised and processed with efficiency and respect at international airports equipped with modern biometric recognition technologies.
“It is not just a document—it is a symbol of our credibility and global standing, he disclosed.
The new e-passport design incorporates elements of our rich cultural heritage, including Adinkra symbols such as “Fawohodie” (Freedom and Independence) and “Funtunfunefu Denkyemfunefu” (Democracy and Cooperation).
“These symbols remind us of the values that define us as Ghanaians—freedom, resilience and unity,” the President emphasised.
Aside from this innovative endeavour, the government is also introducing system-wide upgrades, including modern security document printers, an enhanced online application platform and streamlined processes at passport offices across the country and Ghanaian missions abroad.
President Akufo-Addo indicated that all these improvements aim to resolve long-standing challenges, including the inefficiencies and vulnerabilities that have enabled the scourge of “goro boys,” with the goal of establishing a passport system that is transparent, efficient, and worthy of the trust of every Ghanaian.
