Ministry proposes 544% increase in passport application fee

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has presented a proposal to Parliament, suggesting a significant surge in the passport application fee from GH¢100 to GH¢644, marking a staggering 544% increase.

The proposal aims to address losses incurred in the production of passport booklets.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, emphasized the necessity for Ghanaians to pay realistic prices for passports, citing the financial constraints in the economy.

She highlighted that the current fee of GH¢100 falls short of covering the production cost of GH¢400 per passport booklet, resulting in a GH¢300 deficit borne by the government for each application.

Comparisons with other West African countries reveal that Ghana’s passport fee of $7.7 is the lowest in the sub-region, with countries like Cameroon charging $180, Guinea $57, Guinea-Bissau $65, Burkina Faso $80, and Nigeria $54.29.

Minister Ayorkor Botchwey stressed the unsustainability of the current fee, stating that passports are no longer primary sources of identification due to the existence of national ID cards.

She urged Ghanaians to recognize the financial challenges in producing passports and discouraged those not urgently requiring travel documents from applying.

Additionally, the minister highlighted efforts to enhance services by providing applicants with consular service options, including premium centres for world-class service at a fee.

SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH