Ablakwa announces special bonus for passport office staff after GSS recognition

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced a special bonus for staff of the Passport Office following the institution’s recognition as the most transformed and least corrupt public institution in a recent Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) survey.

Mr Ablakwa said the bonus would be paid next week in recognition of the improved performance, professionalism and service delivery recorded by the Passport Office.

He made the announcement during a working visit to the Passport Head Office, where he congratulated management and staff on the achievement.

“This award is a reflection of the dedication, professionalism and commitment of our passport administration staff. I have therefore announced that all passport administration staff will receive a special bonus next week,” he said.

The Minister said the GSS recognition was evidence of the impact of ongoing reforms at the Passport Office and assured the public that the Ministry would continue to improve the passport application and delivery system.

He said the reforms were being guided by integrity, professionalism, innovation, client satisfaction and excellence, with the aim of making passport services faster, more secure and accessible.

According to Mr Ablakwa, Ghana has introduced chip-embedded passports with enhanced security features, alongside measures to prevent foreigners from illegally acquiring Ghanaian passports.

He said backlogs in passport applications had been cleared following the introduction of 24-hour operations, allowing applicants to receive their passports within a few working days, generally in less than 15 days, without the need for intermediaries.

The Minister further disclosed that passport processing fees had been reduced by 30 per cent to make the document more affordable.

He said courier services had also been introduced to provide applicants with greater convenience and facilitate faster delivery without additional charges.

Mr Ablakwa added that same-day passport processing was now available, while a digital tracking system enabled applicants to monitor the progress of their applications.

He also noted that Passport Application Centres were now operating in all 16 regions, making it possible for applicants to access services without travelling long distances.

According to the Minister, the reforms have not only improved the experience of citizens but have also strengthened the security and integrity of Ghana’s passport system.

Mr Ablakwa commended management and staff of the Passport Office for their contribution to the transformation and urged them to sustain the improved standards.

“We shall continue with our reforms driven by integrity, professionalism, innovation, client satisfaction and excellence,” he said.

He added that the government would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving public service delivery and restoring public confidence in state institutions.