Passport applicants and printing business operators in the Ashanti Region have expressed enthusiasm over the introduction of a shift system in the passport registration process. The initiative, aimed at operating a 24-hour passport application service, is expected to ease congestion, accelerate processing times, and create business opportunities for auxiliary service providers.
The move follows the announcement by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, instructing Passport Office staff to prepare for extended working hours, including day, night, and dawn shifts. This aligns with the government’s broader 24-hour economy initiative, which seeks to improve service delivery and efficiency in key public institutions.
The Ashanti Regional applicants have welcomed the shift system, citing its potential to resolve long-standing challenges in the application process. Many believe the extended working hours will accommodate individuals with rigid work schedules and significantly reduce waiting times. Printing businesses near passport application centers have also welcomed the initiative, anticipating increased revenue as they gear up to operate 24/7 in alignment with the new shift system.
The shift system is part of a larger plan to reform Ghana’s passport administration, which has long been plagued by delays, inefficiencies, and a backlog of applications. During a meeting with foreign service officials last week, Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa outlined measures to address these challenges, including increasing logistical and financial capacity at passport application centres nationwide.
“You’ve heard about our major reform. We want the passport administration in our country to operate 24 hours a day. This year, you need to be prepared as we will be running three shifts. We aim to reduce waiting times for passport applications,” he stated.
His announcement comes after revelations during his ministerial vetting last month that Ghana’s passport system was struggling with a backlog of over 70,000 uncollected passports. In response, the Foreign Ministry has also committed to modernising the passport application process to address long-standing frustrations from the public.
Additionally, Ghanaian passports are set to be upgraded with chip-embedded security features to enhance security and facilitate seamless international travel. The Foreign Minister assured that a concrete timeline for the launch of the new passport system will be provided following a presidential cabinet meeting later this week.
As part of the reforms, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has also hinted at a discounted application fee for average Ghanaians, ensuring that the passport registration process remains accessible and efficient. With these ambitious changes, Ghana’s passport administration is set to become more modern, efficient, and aligned with international standards, offering improved services to citizens across the country.
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