GENERAL NEWS

Passport fee hikes here to stay, Ablakwa can make noise out there – Deputy Minister

Amidst criticisms from Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong asserts that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration will not reconsider the recently adjusted passport fees.

In response to Ablakwa’s pledge to demand a review of the fees upon resumption of Parliament, Ampratwum-Sarpong maintains the Ministry’s stance, asserting that the revised fees are here to stay.

“If he wants us to come to the committee, we will respect the committee, we will appear before the committee, we will repeat the reasons behind the request and the approval given by parliament for the passport fees,” he said in an April 3 interview with JoyNews.

“These figures, with the support of the majority of Ghanaians, have come to stay. There is nothing he can do about it. He can make his noise out there. If he wants to bring it to the committee; to Parliament, we will meet him on the floor of Parliament. We will discuss it, we will debate it, and at the end of the day, he will fall flat on his face,” the deputy minister stressed.

He defended the fee hike, stating that the increased charges are essential for generating revenue to enhance service delivery at passport offices nationwide.

“We would have money to be able to invest to buy the equipment, the printers, and whatever other stuff that we need to be able to give excellent service.

“With the cash revenue flow, it will become possible for us to approach the suppliers of this equipment and materials and whatever that we need in our work.

“So once we get more computers, once we get more laminating machines, once we get more capturing machines, we will be able to capture more biometrics and therefore the six months, seven months, or eight months appointment days would be reduced.

“At the moment, it is out of control because we don’t have the capturing machines. We do have some, but it is not enough,” he added.

The adjustment, effective April 1, raised fees for passport applications from GH¢100 to GH¢500 for the 32-page booklet and to GH¢644 for the 48-page booklet under the standard service.

Amidst public outcry over the new price, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who is the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has suggested that the fees be reviewed as it adds on to the already excruciating burden of Ghanaians.

“It is a matter we will revisit. We will summon the Ministers and officials from the Ministry to see what can be done because this is really terrible. It is going to add to the already excruciating hardship and anguish that Ghanaians are going through,” he said.

 

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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