Government to Establish Passport Application Centres in All Regions by December 2025 – Ablakwa
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that all 16 regions of Ghana will have fully operational passport application centres by December 2025.
The Minister explained that the initiative forms part of government’s broader strategy to decentralise passport services and ensure equitable access across the country. At present, Ghana has 13 passport application centres located in nine regions, leaving seven regions without such facilities.
Mr. Ablakwa revealed that the first of the new centres will be commissioned in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, this month, with the remaining regions scheduled to receive theirs before the end of the year. He assured the public that government is committed to addressing the logistical and infrastructural gaps that have long hindered efficient passport delivery.
He further highlighted reforms introduced by the Ministry, including the use of courier services for passport delivery, which eliminates the need for applicants to travel back to collection centres. This measure, he noted, is aimed at curbing delays and reducing the exploitation of citizens by middlemen who charge unauthorised fees.
As of mid-September 2025, the Ministry had produced 161,824 chip-embedded passports, out of which 122,895 had been delivered, effectively clearing a backlog of more than 70,000 applications.
According to the Minister, the government’s intervention will not only decentralise access but also improve efficiency, transparency, and public confidence in the passport acquisition process.
