Foreign Minister opens new Passport Office in Oti Region

Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on Monday commissioned a new Passport Application Centre in the Oti Region, expanding access to passport services.

The facility, opened as part of the government’s decentralization agenda, is expected to ease long-standing travel burdens for residents who previously had to journey to Kumasi or Accra to apply for passports and return later for collection.

Announcing the commissioning in a statement on X, Mr. Ablakwa said the new office ends “inconvenient six-hour travels to Accra for biometrics and another trip for pickup,” stressing that “Ghanaians in all 16 regions deserve fair access to public services.”

He outlined a range of services now available at the Oti centre, including a 30 per cent reduction in processing time, electronic tracking of applications, courier delivery, an expedited same-day service, and delivery within 15 days.

According to the Foreign Minister, these improvements are designed to bring passport acquisition closer to citizens while improving efficiency and transparency.

“This is about fairness and dignity in public service delivery,” Mr. Ablakwa wrote. “We shall leave no region behind.”

The Foreign Minister also announced heightened security measures to protect the integrity of Ghanaian passports, particularly given Oti’s status as a border region.

He disclosed that he had met with regional security chiefs to ensure strict enforcement.

“I also announce heightened security measures to ensure no foreigner obtains a Ghanaian passport,” he said, adding that the meeting with security heads was aimed at securing “their full cooperation in this regard.”

Mr. Ablakwa expressed appreciation to traditional authorities and political leaders in the region for their support, acknowledging “the eminent chiefs, the Regional Minister, MPs, MMDCEs, MFA directors and all partners” who contributed to the project’s completion.

Officials say the reforms are also intended to curb the activities of middlemen and improve public confidence in the system.

Residents of the Oti Region have long complained about the cost and time involved in travelling long distances to access passport services, often requiring multiple trips and overnight stays.

Residents believe the new office will boost economic activity and improve access for students, traders and professionals who need travel documents.

Looking ahead, the government plans to extend passport services to the remaining regions without offices early next year, further deepening decentralisation.

Framing the initiative within the administration’s broader agenda, Mr. Ablakwa said, “President Mahama’s Reset is real,” signalling continued investment in equitable access to public services nationwide.