The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has declared the implementation of extensive passport reforms, which take effect today, Monday, April 28.
These reforms encompass a shift from biometric to chip-embedded passports, the introduction of a 24-hour passport processing service, the provision of courier delivery of passports directly to applicants, an electronic tracking system, and a 30% reduction in application fees.
The timeframe for obtaining a passport will not exceed 15 working days, or five working days for expedited service, following the completion of the application process. Furthermore, all new passports will be linked to the National Identification Authority’s database to enhance applicant verification.
The new chip-embedded passports feature 175 security elements, in contrast to the previous version, which contained only 32 security elements.
The Minister stated that this initiative is part of the government’s comprehensive strategy to enhance passport security, eliminate middlemen, and foster increased transparency.
The upgraded chip-embedded passports, which were first introduced on December 2, 2024, will replace the existing biometric passports. These passports are crafted to comply with international standards while also reflecting Ghana’s cultural heritage through distinctive Adinkra symbols.
During the launch event held at the Passport Headquarters in Accra, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, characterized this initiative as a significant step towards digitizing public services and modernizing Ghana’s passport system.
Each e-passport is equipped with a microchip that securely retains biometric and photographic information, along with sophisticated anti-fraud features, including both visible and concealed security markers, thereby ensuring safer and more efficient travel.
This marks the inaugural occasion where industry participants have collaboratively endeavored to enhance security measures detectable from the front lines to the secondary and tertiary levels, in strict adherence to the ICAO travel document standards.
The application of nanotechnology in the protective overlays on the bio page introduces an additional layer of security, significantly increasing the total number of security features from 32 to over 150, both overt and covert, in the newly designed chip-embedded passport.
Furthermore, the incorporation of a Micro Frequency Identification Chip, which encodes and retains variable data of the passport holder, including visual inspection details, photographs, and machine-readable information, completes the comprehensive package of an internationally recognized travel document, ensuring top-tier document security as sanctioned by ICAO.
