Current economic crisis makes it untenable to impose draconian passport fees — Ablakwa slams Foreign Affairs Ministry

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs[left] and North Tongu MP, Okudzeto Ablakwa

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for significantly increasing passport application fees, describing the hikes as "draconian".

In a social media post on Monday, April 1, Ablakwa, who also serves as the Ranking Member on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, said the astronomical fee increment was untenable given Ghana's current economic crisis and the already high cost of living.

"As my NDC colleagues and I always maintained at the Foreign Affairs Committee, the current economic crisis and unprecedented high cost of living make it untenable to impose these draconian fees," Ablakwa stated.

He added that the committee had advised the ministry to consider a more graduated approach to any fee adjustments, waiting until economic conditions improved. However, Ablakwa said "they ignored our advice and have gone ahead to impose these insensitive rates in one fell swoop."

The outspoken MP called on the ministry to "reconsider this inimical action immediately," promising the opposition would revisit the issue when parliament resumes from recess.

The comments come after the Foreign Ministry announced it was raising standard passport application fees to 500 cedis, with expedited processing going up to 800 cedis effective today April 1.