Foreign Affairs Minister Says New Passport Application Price Is Not Meant To Hurt Ghanaians
- The Foreign Affairs Minister says the government's upward adjustment of passport applications is not meant to hurt Ghanaians
- She said the adjustment is to be able to help the passport office improve services and reduce the burden on the government
- Meanwhile, the Minority says they will seek a slight reduction in the fees as it may impose harsh financial implications on Ghanaians
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, says the government’s upward adjustment of passport application fees is not to worsen the plight of Ghanaians.
This follows the upward adjustment of fees for passport applications from GH¢100 to GH¢500 for the 32-page booklet and GH¢644 for the 48-page booklet under the standard service.
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Under the expedited service, a 32-page booklet will go for GH¢700, and a 4-page booklet will go for GH¢800.
Reiterating her earlier argument on the need to increase passport application fees, Botchwey noted that under the previous regime, the government was over-subsidising the production of passport booklets.
She said a passport booklet is produced at a cost of GH¢400. The applicant pays GH₵100, and the state absorbs the remaining GH¢300.
This, she says, has been adversely affecting the passport office’s output.
According to her, with the new increments, the government can have some breathing space and there would hopefully be enough resources to improve service delivery at the passport office.
This, she says, would improve delivery time for passport productions, among other services at the passport office.
Shirley Botchwey noted that while there are concerns about the steep pricing of the booklet, she explained that it was not engineered to hurt Ghanaians.
According to her, the process went through the proper parliamentary procedure and was approved after parliament realised the need for Ghanaians to pay realistic fees.
Do not apply if you do not have money
Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister has urged Ghanaians not to apply for a passport if they do not need it.
She explained that introducing the Ghana Card as the primary document for national identification has made passports less essential.
She said Ghanaian nationals arriving into the country no longer need to show their passports if they have a Ghana card.
She urged that Ghanaians who cannot afford a passport not burden themselves with trying to acquire one.
Minority pushes for slight reduction in new passport fees
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament is pushing for a review of the new passport application fees following a 500% upward adjustment.
According to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the increment is terrible and disappointing and may cause severe financial hardship for Ghanaians wanting to acquire a passport.
He said while an upward adjustment was necessary, he hoped the increment was done gradually.
He said when parliament reconvenes, his side of the house will be seeking a slight fee reduction.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
