Director of the Accra Passport Office, Felix Nyarku, has expressed concerns over the inconsistencies in applicants’ identification documents, highlighting mismatches between names on Ghana Cards and birth certificates.

During a visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs last week, Mr Nyarku noted that this often delays the processing of chip-embedded passports.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that a total number of 8,463 Ghanaians have received their new chip-embedded passports across the country.

The sector minister in an X post on May 17 cited official data from the Passport Head Office.

"Mahama’s government is here to serve you diligently, and to keep our pledges to you," he added, while expressing gratification over the milestone.

About two weeks ago, Mr Ablakwa saw to the first round of delivery of Ghana’s new chip-embedded passport.

The minister joined Ghana Post on 9th May to personally hand over passports to clients at the addresses they provided. The Passport Office has implemented the 24-hour service to improve efficiency.

He used the opportunity to brief them on how to properly handle the chip-embedded passports. The new passport contains a biographical data-page composed of layers of polymer compressed into a solid substrate that must not be bent or kept in the pocket, especially the back pockets.

It must be protected from heat and all forms of liquid. Holders are advised not to store other cards with chips embedded in them inside the passport, as it may interfere with encoded information on the (RFID) inside the passport. Avoid attempting to split the biographical data page. This will permanently damage the passport.

Delivery packages have been designed with tamper-evident sealing to guarantee document integrity.

The chip-embedded passports have enhanced security features and meet ICAO’s standards.

Biometric Travel Solutions spearheaded the development of the new passport platform, with Troskit and Ghana Post leading courier services under a 24-hour operational model.

Applicants facing address challenges will be able to retrieve their passports from designated Ghana Post offices at no extra cost.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured that Ghana Post will continue to ensure timely delivery of passports across the country.

Foreign Affairs Committee visits key agencies

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs visited some key agencies, including the Passport Office, and the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC)to assess operational challenges and understand the current state of affairs within these agencies.

During a briefing section at the Ministry, the Chief Director, Ambassador Ramses J. Cleland identified gaps in border security and emphasized the need to intensify Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, along with the development of anticipatory threat models.

At the Accra International Conference Centre, the committee was updated on the myriad of challenges facing the Centre and appealed for assistance.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, commended the agencies for their dedication and transparency.

“We are grateful for the concerns you have shared and thankful for the opportunity to engage with you” he said. He expressed appreciation for the efforts being made to present Ghana as a leading nation on the African continent.