Passport Fee Hike: 70% of Applicants Don't Need Them - Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in charge of Political and Economic matters Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, has provided rationale for the recent hike in passport application fees, citing a surprising statistic that 70% of Ghanaians who apply for passports don’t have a genuine need for them.

As of April 1, 2024, passport application fees saw a significant increase of 544%, a decision which has sparked controversy and debate across the nation.

The proposal to revise the charges was initially presented to Parliament by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in 2023, suggesting a rise from GH¢100 to GH¢644. The adjusted fees now indicate that expedited applications for 48-page passports will cost GH¢800, while the 32-page option will be priced at GH¢700. Standard applications for the 32-page passport now stand at GH¢500, and for the 48-page variant, the fee is GH¢644.

In an interview on Time FM’s Ama Ghana Morning Show, Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong disclosed the surprising findings of research conducted by the Ministry. He emphasized that a significant majority of passport applicants in Ghana simply acquire passports and keep them at home without a genuine necessity.

Addressing concerns over the fee increase, the Deputy Minister highlighted the necessity of maintaining the passport issuance infrastructure, citing the cost of maintaining the printing machines. He urged citizens to show restraint and cautioned against politicizing the fee adjustments.

In a bold statement, Hon. Ampratwum-Sarpong asserted the commitment of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the welfare of Ghanaians, emphasizing a 100% margin of care over the opposition NDC. This, he suggested, was a driving factor behind the decision to revise passport fees.