Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has called on staff at the passport office to prepare for extended working hours, including day, night, and dawn shifts, as part of the government’s push toward a 24-hour economy.
During a visit to the passport headquarters in Accra, Ablakwa stressed the importance of reducing processing times, stating that applicants should receive their passports within one week of applying—a central objective of the ongoing reforms.
He also unveiled plans to introduce chip-embedded passports and integrate passport data with the National Identification Authority system to simplify the verification process for applicants.
Reiterating his commitment to modernizing the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ablakwa announced plans to revise passport fees, aiming to lower costs for standard applicants while increasing fees for premium services.
“You have heard about the major reforms we are pursuing. Our goal is to transform the Passport Administration into a 24-hour operation,” he said.
“This year [2025], you must be ready and prepared. We will operate three shifts to significantly reduce passport waiting times. We believe that within a week, every Ghanaian should be able to obtain a passport after applying. The 24-hour economy initiative will make this possible,” he added.
