Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has addressed concerns surrounding the recent increase in passport fees, clarifying that the government's decision is not aimed at imposing financial hardships on Ghanaians but rather at enhancing service delivery.
In an interview with JoyNews' Blessed Sogah, Minister Botchwey emphasized that the government spends GH¢400 on each passport, with applicants previously paying GH₵100 while the state absorbed GH¢300. However, she pointed out that sustaining this subsidy was no longer feasible as it was impacting government operations.
Acknowledging concerns about prolonged processing times for passports, Minister Botchwey attributed these challenges to the heavy subsidization of passport costs. She emphasized the need for realistic fees to ensure efficient service delivery to applicants.
Highlighting the parliamentary approval process for the fee increment, Minister Botchwey reiterated that the government had no intention of burdening Ghanaians financially. She explained that the increase was necessary to align passport fees with the actual cost of production and service provision.
Minister Botchwey also noted the evolving landscape of identification in Ghana, with the National Identification Card becoming the primary identification document. She encouraged Ghanaians to consider the National ID as a viable alternative to passports for domestic identification purposes.
Reiterating the government's commitment to improving passport services, Minister Botchwey affirmed that the decision to increase fees was made in consultation with Parliament. She assured that her outfit would comply with any future decisions by Parliament regarding passport fees.
In conclusion, Minister Botchwey emphasized the government's dedication to providing efficient passport services while ensuring transparency and accountability in the fee adjustment process.