Ablakwa Unveils 15-Day Passport Delivery Under Bold Consular Reforms

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has unveiled an ambitious package of reforms aimed at transforming passport acquisition in Ghana, including the introduction of a new 15-day passport delivery system.

Announcing the initiative during the inauguration of the maiden Governing Council of the Foreign Service Institute in Accra, Mr. Ablakwa said the reforms are intended to enhance efficiency, transparency, and convenience in passport services — all in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy.

“Ghanaians will no longer need to return to the Passport Office to collect their passports. With our new courier delivery system, passports will now be delivered directly to applicants within just 15 working days,” the Minister declared. “This is not a trial; it is a full national rollout.”

Mr. Ablakwa described the courier initiative as a “game-changer” that drastically reduces congestion at passport centres and removes undue delays caused by manual collection procedures.

In a bold step towards efficiency, the Minister also disclosed that the Passport Office has transitioned to a 24-hour operational model, making it the first major public agency in Ghana to operate round-the-clock under the 24-hour economy policy.

“This means applicants can now access passport services at any time of the day, including weekends,” he said. “Our goal is simple: to make public services work for citizens in the most convenient and professional manner.”

Further enhancing user experience, the Ministry has introduced a real-time electronic tracking system that allows applicants to monitor the progress of their applications — from submission through processing to delivery.

“This feature gives power to the people. No more long waits without answers. You can now track your passport just as you would a package on any modern logistics platform,” Mr. Ablakwa added.

He emphasized that the consular reforms are part of a broader digitization and modernization strategy within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at reducing bureaucracy, improving turnaround times, and enhancing service delivery both at home and in Ghana’s missions abroad.

According to the Minister, these reforms were informed by nationwide consultations, stakeholder feedback, and a renewed government focus on citizen-centric public administration.

“These are not cosmetic changes. We are building a world-class passport administration system — one that reflects Ghana’s growing global standing and the dignity of every Ghanaian citizen,” he asserted.

Mr. Ablakwa also hinted at further innovations in the pipeline, including mobile passport registration services and expanded biometric enrolment centres across the country and in key Ghanaian diaspora locations.

The 15-day passport delivery policy and associated reforms have been welcomed by civil society groups and private sector stakeholders as a significant improvement in public service delivery. Many have lauded the Foreign Ministry for its responsiveness to citizen concerns and its commitment to digital transformation. The Minister concluded by reaffirming his Ministry’s commitment to continuous improvement, transparency, and accountability, promising regular performance audits to ensure the reforms are sustained and expanded.