The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has unveiled plans to introduce 24-hour operations at the Passport Office and Ghana’s foreign missions as part of President John Mahama’s vision for a round-the-clock economy.
Speaking to the staff of the Ministry on Monday, February 10, 2025, on his first day as a Minister, Mr Ablakwa said the initiative aims to streamline passport processing, minimize delays, and create employment opportunities.
“The President strongly believes in a 24-hour economy, and this is a practical way to implement it. Extending operations at the Passport Office will enhance service delivery and significantly increase job creation,” he stated.
He stressed that transitioning to a 24-hour system could potentially triple the workforce at the Passport Office, addressing long-standing challenges with passport issuance.
Mr Ablakwa also advocated for fully digitalising passport services and integrating biometric data across government institutions to eliminate redundancy.
He criticized the current system, where agencies such as the Passport Office, National Identification Authority (NIA), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and health institutions independently collect biometric data.
“If the government already has your biometrics, why should you have to submit them again for passport renewal? It’s an unnecessary waste of time and resources,” he noted.
To address this inefficiency, he revealed that discussions were underway with international partners to bring in technical experts to assist in merging biometric databases.
The Foreign Affairs Minister further announced the establishment of a Committee on Migration and Welfare of Ghanaians in the Diaspora. The committee is tasked with tackling the exploitation of Ghanaian migrant workers and ensuring their rights are protected.
He expressed concern over reports of abuse, including passport confiscation and unfair wage deductions by rogue employment agents.
“This must stop. Government-to-government agreements will help safeguard our citizens. When host countries know that the Ghanaian government is actively monitoring the welfare of its people, they will be treated with dignity,” he asserted.
He cited Cuba and Indonesia as countries that have successfully implemented structured migration policies to their economic advantage.
The committee has been given one month to develop recommendations that will protect Ghanaian workers abroad while maximizing the economic benefits of migration.
He also assured staff of the ministry of his commitment to their welfare. He recalled his advocacy as a ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee for improved working conditions, including restoring duty waivers for returning officers.
He urged them to support ongoing reforms aimed at modernizing Ghana’s foreign services and positioning them as key drivers of economic growth.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
