Ghana has rolled out a new one-day passport service, allowing applicants to receive their passports within 24 hours for a GH¢2,000 expedited fee, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Announcing the initiative at a press briefing in Accra, Mr. Ablakwa said the premium service, available for the 48-page passport booklet, is intended strictly for urgent travel needs such as medical emergencies, business missions, or official assignments.
“This is an unprecedented reform. It caters to genuine emergencies like medical travel or last-minute business trips. Within 24 hours of applying, your passport will be ready,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
He stressed that the one-day service would be processed under strict verification and security protocols, ensuring that speed does not compromise integrity.
For regular applicants, the minister announced a reduction in the standard passport fee from GH¢500 to GH¢350, with processing completed within 15 working days. Both the fee reduction and the new expedited option take effect Thursday, November 13, 2025, following parliamentary approval of the new fees and charges regime.
Mr. Ablakwa said the move is part of the government’s broader efforts to make passport services more accessible, transparent, and efficient, while also discouraging corruption and middlemen.
“The era of ‘Goro Boys’ is over,” he declared. “Applicants must apply through the official online portal or authorized centres. We’ve introduced mystery applicants to catch any official demanding bribes — and one officer has already been sanctioned.”
The Ministry has also introduced digital innovations such as e-tracking and nationwide doorstep passport delivery through Ghana Post and Shark Express at no additional cost.
Providing updates on ongoing reforms, the minister revealed that over 215,000 chip-embedded passports have been issued since their rollout in April 2025. He added that all 16 regions will have passport offices by the end of the year, with new centres opening in the Upper East Region and others set to follow in November and December.
In addition, Ghana has now secured visa-free travel agreements with 42 countries, including Serbia, Morocco, Mozambique, Angola, and Trinidad & Tobago, significantly improving the global strength of the Ghanaian passport.
Mr. Ablakwa commended the Ministry’s staff for clearing a backlog of more than 40,000 passport applications, describing the reforms as part of a “new era of accountability and service excellence.”
“We want every Ghanaian to access public services directly, efficiently, transparently, and affordably,” he added.