The Minister for Foreign Affairs and National Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that by the close of 2025, every region in Ghana will have a functioning Passport Application Centre.
Speaking at a ceremony to present diplomatic passports to five distinguished personalities in the creative and tourism industry, Mr. Ablakwa explained that seven more regions are expected to benefit before the year ends, bringing the total number of centres to all 16 regions.
He expressed concern that many Ghanaians are currently forced to travel long distances to secure passports due to the absence of application centres in their regions, adding that “one application centre will be inaugurated this month.”
At the same event, he presented diplomatic passports to popular African YouTuber Wode Maya, artist Ibrahim Mahama, Grammy-nominated musician Rocky Dawuni, broadcaster and international MC Anita Erskine, and entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng.
The minister noted that the recognition was in honour of their outstanding contributions in promoting Ghana internationally and attracting investment through their work.
He further explained that granting them diplomatic passports would ease the challenges they face when travelling and strengthen their role as cultural and tourism ambassadors.
He, however, clarified that while more honourees would be considered in the future, the government would not compromise standards or create an open-ended avenue for acquiring diplomatic passports.
