The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has officially commissioned a Passport Application Centre in Dambai, Oti Region, aimed at easing access to passport services for residents.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Ablakwa noted that the new centre will eliminate the need for residents to travel long distances to Accra or Ho for biometric capture and passport collection. He highlighted that the centre is expected to reduce processing time by 30 percent and offer enhanced services, including electronic application tracking, courier delivery, same-day expedited processing, and passport delivery within 15 days.
Addressing security concerns due to Oti’s border location, the Minister emphasized strict measures to prevent non-Ghanaians from obtaining passports. He assured that regional security chiefs have agreed on heightened safeguards to maintain the integrity of Ghanaian passports.
Minister Ablakwa stressed that decentralizing public services ensures fair and equal access for all Ghanaians, stating, “Ghanaians in all 16 regions deserve fair and equal access to state services. This is why decentralisation is not optional—it is a responsibility.”
The commissioning of the Oti Passport Application Centre is part of a nationwide effort to expand and improve passport services, reflecting the government’s broader reform agenda to ensure no region is left behind.
The event was attended by traditional leaders, regional and local officials, and representatives of institutions involved in passport administration and security.
