Ghanaians seeking urgent travel can now obtain passports within 24 hours or less, provided there are no network issues. However, it takes 15 working days for normal passport processing to be ready, according to Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson. The minister said this when launching the Techiman Passport Office, where the Assin North MP personally handed over eight freshly printed passports to their owners. He revealed that the entire processing began that morning and finished the same day, showcasing the system’s new efficiency.
The express passport service costs just 350 Ghana cedis, Quayson stated, emphasising affordability. He highlighted recent government interventions designed to boost efficiency, transparency and introduce an E-tracking system. This digital tool allows applicants to monitor their application status online, cutting out middlemen who previously charged exorbitant fees.
Quayson was optimistic about the nationwide rollout. “Passport processing will soon be easily accessible across all 16 regions of Ghana,” he affirmed. He stressed that additional measures would be enforced at the regional and district levels to ensure smooth operations everywhere.
The event drew praise from the Bono East Regional Minister, Hon. Francis Owusu Antwi, commended the government’s commitment to its promises. “This is a fulfillment of pledges made to Ghanaians, and more improvements are on the way,” Owusu Antwi stressed.
Presiding over the occasion as chairman was the Nifahene, Nana Boakye Ameyaw. Nana lauded the initiative as a “great offer” from the government, urging citizens to take advantage of the streamlined service.
This development aligns with broader efforts to modernise Ghana’s passport system amid rising travel demands for education, business, and tourism. Previously, applicants faced months- and at times years-long delays and exploitation by agents. The E-tracking feature, in particular, empowers users with real-time updates, reducing corruption.
Officials encouraged eligible Ghanaians to visit passport offices with the required documents to receive express service. As aviation and global mobility grow in popularity, especially among youth pursuing studies abroad, this faster process could transform travel planning.
Quayson concluded by calling for public patience during any technical glitches, promising full reliability soon. The Techiman event highlights the government’s push for digital governance in public services.
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