Gov't to Reduce Passport Fees From GH¢500 to GH¢350 in New Amended Charges Submitted to Parliament

• The Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed a reduction in passport fees from GH¢500 to GH¢350
• Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said this was aimed at making passports more affordable while maintaining security
• The Foreign Affairs ministry is also rolling out reforms like door-to-door deliveries ad 24-hour passport services

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has presented Amended Fees and Charges to Parliament, including a reduction in ordinary passport fees from GH¢500 to GH¢350.

This was disclosed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a social media post on Wednesday, 30 July 2025.

According to the minister, this move is part of the ruling government's effort to make passports more accessible to Ghanaians while maintaining high security standards.

He said the government recognised concerns about the affordability of the new passport and is committed to ensuring that the cost remains reasonable.

"The amended Fees and Charges for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented to Parliament duly capture the Ordinary Passport Fees reduction from GHS500.00 to GHS350.00. Thankfully, Ghanaians gave the NDC the emphatic numbers in Parliament to ensure this is approved in the coming days."

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"It is remarkable that despite plans for a substantial reduction in fees, we have rolled out impressive reforms leading to unprecedentedly convenient, efficient, professional, and faster deliveries via courier. The Mahama administration will always keep its promise to the good people of Ghana," he added.

The post shared by Minister Ablakwa is below:

Other reforms implemented by Foreign Affairs Ministry

Despite the substantial reduction in fees, Minister Ablakwa added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rolled out impressive reforms, leading to unprecedentedly convenient, efficient, professional, and faster deliveries via courier.

Some of these reforms include:

• 24-hour passport office operation: The passport office will operate 24 hours a day to expedite the processing of applications
• Door-to-door passport delivery service: The Ministry will introduce a door-to-door passport delivery service as part of its new 24-hour service initiative

The reduction in passport fees is expected to benefit many Ghanaians, who previously raised concerns over the steep cost of acquiring a passport.

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With the amended fees and charges presented to the Parliament of Ghana, it is likely that the reduction will be approved in the coming days, given the NDC’s two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Passport fees soared under Akufo-Addo

In April 2024, the then Ghanaian government, led by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, sharply raised passport application fees.

The cost of the standard 32-page booklet was increased from GH¢100 to GH¢500, while the cost of the 48-page version rose to GH¢644.

Expedited services were also increased to GH¢700 and GH¢800 for the 32-page and 48-page booklets, respectively.

These changes were introduced under the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations, 2023 (L.I 2481).

The government explained that the previous fees were no longer viable, noting that passport production costs stood at GH¢400 per booklet.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, pointed out that Ghana’s old fees were the lowest in West Africa, and the increase was needed to match regional benchmarks and fund upgrades like chip-embedded passports.

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However in the new Amended Fees and Charges submitted by the President Mahama-led government, the 32-page booklet has been reduced from GH¢500 to GH¢350 while the fee 48-page booklets and expedited 32-page booklet have been maintained.

Gov't agrees on visa-free international travel

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh also reported that Ghanaian passport holders no longer required visas to enter certain countries after Parliament ratified four visa waiver agreements.

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, made the official announcement on social media, with netizens applauding the ministry for the continued effective work.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh