Passport System Requires Overhaul, Says Ablakwa During Vetting

The Ghanaian Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for urgent reforms to the country’s passport acquisition system, citing long-standing challenges in the process and the need for modernization. Speaking during his confirmation hearing on January 31, 2025, before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee, Ablakwa highlighted the many complaints Ghanaians have had regarding the difficulty in obtaining passports in a timely manner.

According to Ablakwa, over 70,000 passports remain uncollected due to inefficiencies in the current system. Recalling frustrations shared by his predecessor, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who once criticized the ongoing crisis, he underscored the need for reforms to address this backlog and streamline passport issuance. “There are too many complaints about how difficult it is to get a passport in good time,” he stated, noting that the system requires modernization to better serve the needs of Ghanaians.

Ablakwa, who plans to use technology to modernize the passport system, suggested a more seamless process for applicants. He explained that Ghanaians who already possess the Ghana Card should not be required to visit passport offices for biometrics. He expressed his intention to collaborate with the Ministry of Communications to create an online application system that would allow citizens to apply for their passports from the comfort of their homes. Additionally, he emphasized the need to introduce a more efficient delivery method, where passports could be sent directly to citizens via courier services, removing the need for them to revisit the passport office.

“These reforms are about improving the process, ensuring that Ghanaians can get their passports easily, without unnecessary delays,” he said. Ablakwa envisions moving towards a new biometric system with chip-embedded passports, marking a significant shift from the outdated methods currently in place.

In response to questions about his broader priorities, Ablakwa also highlighted his plans to overhaul Ghana’s foreign service. He revealed that he would establish a new department focused on delivering results and setting clear performance targets for Ghana’s ambassadors and high commissioners. His vision is to prioritize economic diplomacy and foster stronger international relations that contribute to national growth. “Economic diplomacy is key. We cannot rely on aid or loans anymore. We need our embassies to bring back something tangible, like foreign investment, to support the people,” he stated.

Ablakwa also emphasized that foreign missions should be results-driven, urging diplomats to actively work towards securing investments, creating job opportunities, and boosting Ghana’s global standing. He mentioned that last year alone, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs allocated over GH₵875 million to its foreign service staff, and he believes the resources should be used more effectively to benefit the nation.

Regarding the issue of Ghanaians migrating abroad for employment opportunities, particularly to the United Arab Emirates and other countries, Ablakwa expressed concern about the abuses faced by migrants. He cited the growing unemployment rate in Ghana, which has risen from 8.6% in 2016 to 14.7% in recent years, as one of the key drivers behind the mass migration. Ablakwa proposed a strategy to regulate migration more effectively by negotiating bilateral agreements with other countries to ensure that Ghanaians working abroad have their rights protected and that a portion of the revenue generated benefits Ghana.

He pointed to countries like Cuba and Indonesia, which have successfully exported labor through strategic foreign policies and agreements, as models for Ghana to follow. By signing agreements with countries seeking Ghanaian professionals such as nurses, teachers, and artisans, Ablakwa believes that the country can address its unemployment crisis while also ensuring that the conditions for migrant workers are improved.

Ultimately, Ablakwa’s vision is to turn the current challenge of brain drain into brain gain by creating more job opportunities for Ghanaians abroad, improving their working conditions, and ensuring that the country benefits from the skills and expertise of its citizens. “We need to regulate the migration space, ensuring that the rights of our people are protected and that Ghana benefits from this process,” he concluded.