Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Andy Appiah Kubi, has justified the recent increase in passport application fees, citing the low demand for travel among passport holders.
He pointed out that only around 20% of passport holders actually use the document for travel, making passport acquisition more of a privilege than a necessity.
Speaking to reporters in Accra on Wednesday, April 3, Mr. Appiah Kubi argued that individuals seeking passports should bear the full cost, considering it a privilege rather than a fundamental right or requirement.
He emphasized that the government cannot subsidize privileges for passport applicants.
“We agree that it is only about 20% of Ghanaians that need passports to travel out of the country. And, therefore, looking at it from that context, the passports then become a privilege, not a right or need.
“So, if it is a privilege, who should bear the cost of passports? To be honest with you, within the subregion, passports in Ghana are the cheapest and indeed it is incomparable with anywhere else.”
“The most immediate cost element is from Liberia, and they are charging GH499.50, which is the equivalent of $50 for passports that span for five years…
“Indeed how fair will it be for only 20% of us to surcharge all of us, the 80% for what they want for their purpose of travelling? It is not fair,” he said.
“Today as we speak, we have the National Identification that is working very well, so that’s our primary source of identification. No longer the passport.”
“And even those who have the National ID can travel into the country with it. So, then I’m asking humbly Ghanaians that please, if you do not need a passport because you cannot afford it.”
“Please, humbly, I’m asking you not to go for a passport because it’s no longer your primary source of identification.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ recent increase in passport acquisition fees has faced criticism from Ghanaians.
According to the new pricing structure, a standard 32-page passport will now cost GH¢500, up from GH¢100, while a 48-page booklet will be priced at GH¢644, a significant increase from GH¢200.
Expedited services will also incur higher charges, with citizens required to pay GH¢700 for a 32-page booklet and GH¢800 for a 48-page booklet.