20 pickup vehicles procured to improve passport services – Ablakwa

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has procured 20 pickup vehicles for Passport Application Centres across the country as part of efforts to improve service delivery and enhance staff mobility.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed this during his first working visit to the Ashanti Regional Passport Application Centre since assuming office.

He described the procurement as part of deliberate efforts to revamp passport offices nationwide and improve the conditions under which staff operate.

During the visit, Ablakwa observed that some vehicles currently used by Passport Application Centres were no longer efficient, making it necessary to provide replacements to support their operations.

He also identified the need to replace outdated equipment, including computers and furniture, to improve efficiency and ensure staff have the resources required to deliver better services.

The observations were made during a meeting with staff at the Ashanti Regional Passport Application Centre, where the Minister sought to familiarise himself with conditions at the facility and gain first-hand knowledge of the challenges confronting workers.

Ablakwa explained that the visit was intended to help him establish the realities on the ground, particularly in view of the daily reports his office receives about the operations of Passport Application Centres across the country.

He said understanding the challenges facing staff was essential to identifying areas that required urgent attention and implementing measures to improve service delivery.

The provision of the 20 pickup vehicles is expected to support official duties at passport centres, particularly tasks that require staff to travel and move equipment as part of their work.

The Minister also assured staff that their welfare would remain a priority, reaffirming his commitment to providing a conducive working environment.

He stressed the importance of equipping passport offices adequately to enable staff to perform their duties effectively and provide efficient services to applicants.

The planned improvements form part of broader efforts to strengthen the operations of Passport Application Centres and make passport services more accessible and efficient for the public.

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