Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expanded passport services with the opening of a new passport application centre in Dambai, bringing the national travel document closer to residents in the Oti Region and surrounding areas.
The new facility, established under the government’s ongoing efforts to decentralise passport services, aims to reduce the travel burden on applicants who previously had to journey long distances to access passport offices in major cities. Officials say the centre is expected to ease pressure on existing passport offices and significantly shorten the time and cost associated with obtaining a passport.
At the official launch, regional leaders and ministry representatives emphasised the importance of making passport services more accessible to ordinary Ghanaians, particularly students, traders, and others who travel frequently for business or education. The Dambai centre is equipped to handle both regular passport applications and renewals, and is part of a broader strategy to enhance public service delivery across the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that expanding passport services to areas outside the capital and major urban centres demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusive service provision. He encouraged residents to take advantage of the new centre to formalise their travel documents without having to incur the cost and inconvenience of long trips to other towns.
Local residents welcomed the development, saying it would save time and money and improve convenience. Many have long petitioned authorities for closer access to passport facilities, especially as international travel becomes increasingly essential for work, study, and family reasons.
The new Dambai passport office joins other satellite centres established in recent months, part of a national effort to strengthen service delivery across the country. Ministry officials said they will continue to monitor operations and adjust resources to ensure the office meets demand effectively.
As the new centre begins operations, officials stressed that standard verification procedures will be upheld to maintain the integrity of the passport system, and residents are urged to bring all necessary documentation when applying.