Oti Region Gets Passport Application Centre
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has opened a new Passport Application Centre in Dambai, the capital of the Oti Region. This new centre will make it easier for people in the region to apply for passports without travelling long distances to other towns.
At the ceremony on Monday, the minister said development should not be limited to only a few regions but must reach every part of Ghana. He explained that the government’s goal is to ensure that by the end of December 2025, every region in the country will have its own Passport Application Centre. This, he said, is part of the Mahama administration’s plan to bring government services closer to the people.
Mr. Ablakwa also warned against foreigners trying to obtain Ghanaian passports illegally. He described such actions as criminal offences and assured the public that new measures have been put in place to stop them. He said passport staff have been retrained and stricter vetting procedures introduced to prevent fraud.
The minister announced reforms to make the application process easier. One of the new policies allows applicants to receive their passports without having to return to the centre, saving time and reducing stress.
The Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, welcomed the new centre. He explained that before this, residents had to travel to Ho, Tamale, or other regions to apply for passports. This meant extra costs and inconvenience for many families. He said the new centre will bring relief, dignity, and hope to the people of Oti. He also encouraged the community to take good care of the facility and use it responsibly.
The new Passport Application Centre is expected to reduce travel burdens, stop middlemen from exploiting applicants, and improve efficiency in passport services. It reflects the government’s wider effort to make essential services accessible to all Ghanaians, no matter where they live.
