Ghana stops issuing old biometric passports today as chip-embedded rollout begins — Ablakwa

Ghana will from today, April 28, 2025, no longer issue the old biometric passports as the country transitions to chip-embedded passports.

The move, announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in a social media post, is in compliance with ICAO requirements. However, the old biometric passports will remain valid until 2030.

The Minister revealed that passport holders can apply for the chip-embedded one at any time and that anyone renewing their passport will automatically receive the new version.

“You will not be charged extra fees for delivery. You will be able to track your passport application process from the online application stage to final delivery.

“It should not take you more than 15 working days to receive a chip-embedded passport if all required documentation is presented,” the Minister said, hinting that expedited services will be available within five days.

The North Tongu MP further noted that the application fee for an ordinary chip-embedded passport has been reduced from GHS500 to GHS350 by Cabinet, with the new fee expected to take effect after Parliament approves the updated Fees and Charges Act in a few weeks.

“Ghanaians living abroad are equally entitled to benefit from these passport reforms. They have not been left out. Our embassies and high commissions are ready to serve them,” he announced.

Meanwhile, the new passport features a biographical data page made of layers of polymer compressed into a solid substrate, which must not be bent or kept in pockets, especially back pockets.