Ghana Officially Rolls Out New Chip-Embedded Passports to the Public
The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially launched the issuance of chip-embedded passports marking a significant upgrade from the previous biometric passports.
At the launch event held today the Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that the new initiative is designed to improve security enhance international travel compliance and address the challenge of over 70,000 uncollected passports.
Mr. Ablakwa assured citizens that holders of the older biometric passports can continue using them until 2030, in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements. However, passport holders who wish to upgrade to the new chip-embedded version can do so at any time, regardless of their current passport’s expiration date.
Highlighting the features of the new passport, the Foreign Affairs Minister praised the collaborative efforts of various Ghanaian institutions, including Ghana Post and Troskit, for enabling secure and convenient delivery services. A dedicated tracking dashboard has been introduced to monitor the movement and distribution of the passports nationwide.
The Director of Passports, Kwasi Asante, described the rollout as a new era that underscores Ghana’s commitment to safeguarding the identity of its citizens while embracing technological innovation.
Also addressing the event, Superintendent of Immigration Frank Apronti, Second-in-Command of the Document Fraud Expertise Center (DFEC) revealed that the chip-embedded passports come with 175 advanced security features a significant improvement over the 37 features available on the older biometric version. The passport incorporates nanotechnology to further strengthen its security.
Mr. Apronti also provided important guidance for the maintenance of the new passports. He cautioned users to avoid bending the passports, exposing them to liquids or heat, and storing them near other chip-embedded cards, which could interfere with the passport’s internal RFID chip.
Unlike previous procedures, the government has arranged for no additional charges for courier delivery services. Ghana Post will manage the secure delivery process using tamper-proof packaging with visible evidence seals to ensure the security of each document.
Key government officials present at the launch included Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Dogbe, Deputy Attorney-General Srem Sai, Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations Sam Nartey George, Deputy Majority Leader Ricketts-Hagan, Chairman of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije and renowned evangelist Dr. Lawrence Tetteh.
The government hopes that the introduction of the chip-embedded passport will strengthen Ghana’s global travel credentials and contribute to greater trust in Ghanaian identification documents internationally.