Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Andy Appiah Kubi, has clarified the government’s decision to increase passport application fees by 400 per cent.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, March 3, 2024, he said the government could not continue to subsidise the fees because passport acquisition is not a fundamental right or requirement.
He stated that about 20 per cent of passport holders used the document for travel and suggested that those applying for passports should bear the full cost.
“We agree that it is only about 20 percent of Ghanaians that need passports to travel out of the country. And, therefore, looking at it from that context, the passports then become a privilege, not a right or need.
“So, if it is a privilege, who should bear the cost of passports? Indeed how fair will it be for only 20% of us to surcharge all of us the 80% for what they want for their purpose of travelling? It is not fair,” Mr Appiah Kubi said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has asked Ghanaians who do not urgently need passports to stop procuring them.
She explained that a passport is no longer a primary source of identification in Ghana.
While defending the 400 per cent increment in passport application fees, the minister said this would help alleviate the strain on passport production within the country.
“Today, as we speak, we have the National Identification that is working very well, so that’s our primary source of identification—no longer the passport.
“I’m asking humbly, Ghanaians, that please, if you do not need a passport and because you cannot afford it, please, humbly, I’m asking you not to go for a passport because it’s no longer your primary source of identification,” she appealed.