Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced that staff of Ghana’s Passport Administration will receive a special bonus next week in recognition of their performance and contribution to ongoing reforms.
The Minister made the announcement after paying a working visit to the Passport Head Office, where he congratulated management and staff for what he described as the institution’s impressive performance in the latest report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
According to Mr Ablakwa, the Passport Administration emerged as the most transformed and least corrupt public institution in the report.
He said the special incentive was intended to reward the “impressive output” of passport administration staff while motivating them to sustain the gains achieved through the ongoing reforms.
Mr Ablakwa said the government remained committed to implementing what he described as “radical reforms” within the Passport Administration, with a focus on integrity, professionalism, innovation, client satisfaction and excellence.
He cited several reforms introduced in recent times, including the commencement of 24-hour operations to address passport application backlogs and the processing of passports in fewer than 15 working days.
Other measures, he said, include a 30 percent reduction in passport processing fees, the introduction of courier services, same-day passport processing and digital application tracking.
The Minister also highlighted enhanced security protocols as part of efforts to improve the efficiency and integrity of the passport issuance system.
He further announced that Passport Application Centres are now operational in all 16 regions of Ghana, describing the development as a historic milestone for the country.
Mr Ablakwa said the reforms were aimed at transforming the passport acquisition process and ensuring that applicants receive faster, more efficient and customer-focused services.
He urged management and staff of the Passport Administration to maintain the momentum and continue working towards higher standards of service delivery.
