Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has called on passport office staff to prepare for extended working hours, including day, night, and dawn shifts, as part of the government’s 24-hour economy initiative.
Speaking at the passport headquarters in Accra, Ablakwa emphasized the goal of issuing passports within a week of application, a key aspect of the reform.
He also unveiled plans to introduce chip-embedded passports and integrate passport data with the National Identification Authority system to enhance applicant verification.
Reaffirming his commitment to modernizing the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ablakwa announced efforts to revise passport fees—reducing costs for ordinary applicants while increasing fees for premium services.
“You have also heard about our major reforms. We want the Passport Administration in our country to operate 24 hours a day,” he stated.
“This year [2025], you need to be ready and prepare yourselves. We’re implementing a three-shift system to reduce passport processing times.
“We believe that within a week, Ghanaians should be able to receive their passports after applying. The 24-hour economy initiative will make this possible,” he added.
