Kumasi: Applicants lament astronomical increase in passport fees

Many passport applicants in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti region are lamenting the astronomical increase in passport fees by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

Speaking to this reporter on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, some emphasized that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is depriving their right to register and be identified as Ghanaians.

Some applicants expressed that the inflated prices would impose an extra burden on their financial resources. Despite this, they remain resolute in their quest to secure their passports and explore opportunities overseas for an improved standard of living.

On the other hand, some believe that the price increase should have been phased in over time. They are also calling for improvements in the processing timeline, proposing an expedited date for passport issuance as opposed to the initial three-month timeframe for standard services.

“The new prices are too high for me because I just completed school and if I want to travel outside, I have to come and pay GH500 for 32 pages which I think is too high for me. So I think that the government should look into it especially the Foreign Affairs Committee in Parliament and look at how the prices can be adjusted to a minimum of GH200 or GH150. Most of the youth are unemployed. I am a graduate, I am unemployed.

“I don’t think it will prevent people from not moving outside. We must work hard as youth and then get whatever amount that we need to get and go out of the country if you so wish," an applicant stated.

Another applicant indicated “I side with the government, but it should have been progressive. I don’t think it is a way of restricting people from traveling out of the country.”