Biometric passports would eliminate contractors

Obuasi, Feb 18, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service, (GIS) Emmanuel Amoako Yirenkyi says the introduction= of the biometric passport would end the activities of "passport contractors"= in the system.

Besides, the issue of multiple-ownership of passports would be consigned= to history. He was speaking at a sensitization workshop on "The biometric Passport," at Obuasi, jointly organized by the Obuasi Municipal Assembly,=

the Information Services Department ISD) and the Ghana Immigration Servic= e (GIS). Heads of departments, assembly members, media personnel, representatives from Anglo Gold Ashanti and organized groups such as the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) participated. Mr Yirenkyi said that there was no way "middlemen" would have a place in=

the process of biometric passport acquisition and that a Complaints Unit would be set up to check all forms of behaviours intended to frustrate passport applicants.

Seven Centres had been opened throughout the country where applicants co= uld go and buy application forms, he said, but added that "with time the cent= res would be opened in the districts".

He said the old machine readable passports would be in the use till 2015=

when it would be phased out and that there was no need for the public to rush for the new kind. The biometric passport captures the finger-prints and the facial outlook= of the applicant, making it difficult for anyone to alter any of the feature= s. Mr Yirenkyi said it would help to restore the international dignity of t= he Ghanaian passport and therefore called for public support, co-operation a= nd understanding. The Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. John Alexander Ackon, advised the public not to give the chance to fraudsters to dupe them in their anxiety= to secure the biometric passports. 18 Feb. 10