Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Andy Appiah Kubi, has justified the recent adjustments to passport application fees, pointing to the low demand for travel among passport holders.
He clarified that only a small percentage, around 20%, of passport holders actually use the document for traveling, making passport acquisition more of a luxury than a necessity.
Speaking to journalists in Accra on Wednesday, April 3, Mr. Appiah Kubi argued that individuals applying for passports should cover the entire cost, viewing it as a luxury rather than a basic right or obligation.
He also stressed that the government cannot subsidize luxuries 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.
Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has once again urged Ghanaians to be cautious when applying for passports, advising them to do so only when absolutely necessary.
The former Anyaa-Sowutum MP highlighted that passports are not the main form of identification for citizenship in Ghana.
She encouraged citizens to avoid unnecessary passport applications if they do not have immediate travel plans.
Madam Botchwey emphasized that adhering to this advice would help reduce the pressure on passport production in the country.
“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 recent increase in passport acquisition fees, announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has stirred up criticism among Ghanaians.
According to the new pricing system, a standard 32-page passport will now be priced at ¢500, up from the previous ¢100, while a 48-page booklet will cost ¢644, a notable increase from the previous ¢200.
Furthermore, expedited services will come with higher charges, with citizens now expected to pay 700 cedis for a 32-page booklet and 800 cedis for a 48-page booklet.