Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has cautioned the Ghanaian populace against going through middlemen (goro boys) with the aim of fast-tracking their passport application processes.
The Minister notes passport applications go through the stipulated timeframe and will not be fast-tracked under any conditions.
According to her, those who patronize goro boys inadvertently waste their money, as they will receive their passports at the same time as those who go through the regular process.
“The public must know that passports are being processed at the specified period and no one should pay money to middlemen as they do not fast track the process in any way. So do not patronize them.”
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey revealed the Ministry is introducing a chip embedded passport initiative which is being undertaken through a Public-Private Partnership Agreement.
The passport which is expected to be available in the middle of 2022 has enhanced security features making it impossible to forge.
She however regrettably announced the delay in the timelines for the receipt of these passports, blaming it on the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I regret to announce that due to the disruption the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the global supply chain, we don’t have the 32-page booklet in stock. We placed the order in August last year but are yet to receive them. So applicants who cannot wait can apply for the 48 paged document,” she added.
Touting the improved consular services offered by the nation’s missions abroad, she noted that their services meet “the welfare needs of our compatriots abroad. The client service units of the Ministry now have a system that provides real-time application of passport and addresses grievances of the people.”
The nation’s diplomatic missions also embark on outreach programs to provide consular services to people living in remote places, constantly engaging with them through town hall and virtual meetings.
The Minister shared these insights during a press briefing at the Ministry of Information on Ghana’s foreign policy.
