The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has commissioned the Damongo Passport Application Office as part of government’s drive to expand access to passport services across the country.
The commissioning ceremony took place on December 31, 2025, in Damongo, the Savannah Regional capital.
Addressing the gathering, the North Tongu Member of Parliament emphasized that the passport office is open to all Ghanaians, stressing that services will be rendered without discrimination.
He assured the public that no political affiliation or party card would be required to access passport services, noting that the facility is meant to serve residents of the Savannah Region and citizens nationwide.
According to Hon. Ablakwa, the establishment of passport offices in all regions aligns with President’s vision of decentralizing public services and bringing them closer to the people.
He dismissed earlier doubts about the feasibility of having passport offices in all 16 regions, declaring that the vision has now become a reality. “All 16 regions now have functional and operational passport offices, not just offices in name,” he stated.
The Minister revealed that even before the official commissioning, nine residents of the Savannah Region had successfully applied for and received their passports. He added that the Damongo office issues the new chip-embedded passports, replacing the old biometric passports.
In a move to enhance convenience, Hon. Ablakwa announced the accreditation of a courier company that will deliver passports directly to applicants’ homes, eliminating the need for long queues at passport offices.
He assured applicants that passports will be delivered within 15 days after application.
He further disclosed that Parliament has approved a 30 percent reduction in passport fees, bringing the cost down from GH¢500 to GH¢350, fulfilling a key government promise.
Touching on concerns about foreigners illegally acquiring Ghanaian passports, the Minister assured the public that enhanced security systems and advanced technology have been deployed to tighten the process.
He stressed that these measures would make it extremely difficult for non-citizens to obtain Ghanaian passports fraudulently.
Hon. Ablakwa concluded by reaffirming government’s commitment to delivering on its promises, noting that the reforms in the passport sector are part of a broader agenda to reset public service delivery in Ghana.
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