Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has reacted to the increase in passport charges.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced increments for passport charges.
The increments took effect yesterday, April 1, 2024.
A standard passport application (32 pages) fees has been increased from GHC100 to GHC500.
The Ministry clarified in a statement that this decision is consistent with L.I.2481, the charges regulations for 2023.
The processing fee for expedited 48-page passport now costs GHS800, while 32-page application is GHS700.
An Expedited Application for 48 Pages now cost GHS 800.00 whereas an expedited application for the 32 Page passports cost GHS 700.00.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to inform its valued clients that, in accordance with the fees and charges (Miscellaneous provisions) Regulations, 2023 (L.I 2481). There will be an adjustment in the fees and charges for all services provided by the Ministry. The adjustment will take effect from Monday, 1st April, 2024,” the Ministry said in a statement after the new prices had gone viral on social media.
Reacting to the increased charges in a Facebook post, The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the ministry ignored the advice of members on the Foreign Affairs Committee which suggested that the worst case scenario could be a graduated approach when economic conditions improve.
The lawmaker who says he is terribly disappointed in the astronomical increases in passport application fees disclosed the Minority in Parliament shall surely revisit this matter when Parliament resumes from recess.
“I am terribly disappointed in Ghana’s Foreign Ministry for the astronomical increases in passport application fees. As my NDC colleagues and I always maintained at the Foreign Affairs Committee, the current economic crisis and unprecedented high cost of living make it untenable to impose these draconian fees.
“We insisted at Committee that the worst case scenario could be a graduated approach when economic conditions improve but alas they ignored our advice and have gone ahead to impose these insensitive rates in one fell swoop. The Ministry should reconsider this inimical action immediately. We shall surely revisit this matter when Parliament resumes from recess,” Ablakwa said in a Facebook post.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu
