Acquiring a passport in Ghana is a nightmare

Read Article

Comments (36)

This article is closed for comments.

Read Comments Comments (36)

Steve 12 years ago

Wake up, Mr. Minister....

Wake up, Mr. Minister....
hoho 12 years ago

why ghanaians don't think? ghanaians are real terrible animals in the amazon bush.. this is common sense they have to apply here. ok there is pressure on the office in terms of many applicants.Just as visa appointment, wherev ...
read full comment

why ghanaians don't think? ghanaians are real terrible animals in the amazon bush.. this is common sense they have to apply here. ok there is pressure on the office in terms of many applicants.Just as visa appointment, wherever you buy your application form,should give your appointment or submission dates, i mean ONLY 200 people should have an appointment each day to submit their documents. this is how it should be.. if you have no appointment,,do not surface at the passport office..and the selling centers,should communicate and make sure they have a quota each day for the forms. alternatively applicants may go to a designed place far away from the passport office to pay there application fee and after paying the application fee,,they get the day of appointment there.200 applicants each day,, the day on your receipt,you go to passport office and produce the receipts and they attend to you that day. if you have no appointment for that day,it means ou can't go there..what kind of nonsense and common sense ghana government can't think and apply here? everything small and little like this,,foolish ghana government can't think.. why??????
Alugu 12 years ago

I think only the people who work in the Interior and foreign affairs ministries understand the passport process in Ghana. It's a shame. It looks like all these are artificial blocks for them to look busy. Irinically these has ...
read full comment

I think only the people who work in the Interior and foreign affairs ministries understand the passport process in Ghana. It's a shame. It looks like all these are artificial blocks for them to look busy. Irinically these has been the process for so many years.
J. Ghanaian Catholic 12 years ago

If can not even write in correct and good English where are you going with the passport? Check you English first. It is probable that they heard or looked at your English and saw that you donnot deserve it. What are you going ...
read full comment

If can not even write in correct and good English where are you going with the passport? Check you English first. It is probable that they heard or looked at your English and saw that you donnot deserve it. What are you going to with it after all? To travel with drugs abroad? NO.
cartus 12 years ago

@ J.Ghanaian Catholic, oh dear, you are correcting someone's English yet, yours is the worst I have ever read!! Now, shut up and make some sense out of this article

@ J.Ghanaian Catholic, oh dear, you are correcting someone's English yet, yours is the worst I have ever read!! Now, shut up and make some sense out of this article
kolo 12 years ago

english isn't his L1 or mother tongue,, english is imposed on Ghanaians so whatever mistake he makes remember english isn't his mother tongue

english isn't his L1 or mother tongue,, english is imposed on Ghanaians so whatever mistake he makes remember english isn't his mother tongue
Hanatu 12 years ago

IT TOOK MY BROTHER SIX MONTHS AND A LOT OF MONEY TO ACQUIRE A PASSPORT IN 2006.YOUR UGLY KUFFOUR, GORILLA WITHOUT HAIR WAS IN OFFICE THEN NOT MAHAMA.YOU DISGRUNTLE MAHAMA HATER.

IT TOOK MY BROTHER SIX MONTHS AND A LOT OF MONEY TO ACQUIRE A PASSPORT IN 2006.YOUR UGLY KUFFOUR, GORILLA WITHOUT HAIR WAS IN OFFICE THEN NOT MAHAMA.YOU DISGRUNTLE MAHAMA HATER.
Northern Light 12 years ago

As I read the article I was feeling more and more angry and frustrated as if I was the one who suffered this poor service. No one in today's age and IT epoch should have to queue for a passport. What the hell? But just as I w ...
read full comment

As I read the article I was feeling more and more angry and frustrated as if I was the one who suffered this poor service. No one in today's age and IT epoch should have to queue for a passport. What the hell? But just as I was about to breathe swear at the passport office and the sector minister I read "The only policy that works effectively in Ghana is the Mahama led dumsor dumsor policy." Only then did it dawn on me this is not about passports but Mahama. In other words Nana would have fared better. What crap!
kofi 12 years ago

This is sheer stupidity. These problems in Ghana calls for concern with everyone involved not attacking people. If you can write good english, then learn how to place the correct grammar because you cannot use the word "prob ...
read full comment

This is sheer stupidity. These problems in Ghana calls for concern with everyone involved not attacking people. If you can write good english, then learn how to place the correct grammar because you cannot use the word "probable". We have a situation at hand which needs immediate rectification. Gas, power and water are basic needs for citizens within a country and if the government cannot provide those needs, then it is a shame and it needs to be address immediately.!!!
kofi 12 years ago

do not insult Ghanaian as animals, tell me where is your common sense?Idiot

do not insult Ghanaian as animals, tell me where is your common sense?Idiot

kolo 12 years ago

It pains to be a Ghanaian..common sense is lacking in many many things Ghanaians do in Ghana even though i'm a Ghanaian abroad here in Australia,, i never have any plan in my life to return to Ghana no.

It pains to be a Ghanaian..common sense is lacking in many many things Ghanaians do in Ghana even though i'm a Ghanaian abroad here in Australia,, i never have any plan in my life to return to Ghana no.
FUEL 12 years ago

crap! Ghana has its challenges but I will never regret being a Ghanaian.I lived abroad for 30 years and returned in 2010.In today's Ghana,most people are rude,lazy,selfish,narrow-minded and intolerant.but we all have a duty t ...
read full comment

crap! Ghana has its challenges but I will never regret being a Ghanaian.I lived abroad for 30 years and returned in 2010.In today's Ghana,most people are rude,lazy,selfish,narrow-minded and intolerant.but we all have a duty to make Ghana better.
Lokko 12 years ago

I believe what the writer is doing is trying to make Ghana better. We all must condemn the inefficiencies in our country and the people that perpetuate these ills on our society.

I believe what the writer is doing is trying to make Ghana better. We all must condemn the inefficiencies in our country and the people that perpetuate these ills on our society.
OZA 12 years ago

You talk about old people in line. How about the one who has to travel from elswhere to get to the center before 0600? Can we decentralize this services. What seems to be the old age problem. It has always been like thids at ...
read full comment

You talk about old people in line. How about the one who has to travel from elswhere to get to the center before 0600? Can we decentralize this services. What seems to be the old age problem. It has always been like thids at least for the past 40 years.
Vuvuzela 12 years ago

Kwame Boateng, as OZA implies, it has always been the same. Meanwhile in countries like Senegal where you passport could be sent to you at home in about a week's time, at most two weeks, it is not really easy for foreigners t ...
read full comment

Kwame Boateng, as OZA implies, it has always been the same. Meanwhile in countries like Senegal where you passport could be sent to you at home in about a week's time, at most two weeks, it is not really easy for foreigners to have a copy processed.

1. To be entitled to a passport, you need a national ID, which you can't get unless you have a birth certificate, which should be established in the presence of your parents or at birth. Meaning it is established using serious control measures to ensure that it does not get into the wrong hands. The number on the birth certificate attributed to each person is the same number that would be on all official documents of each person so to establish for example a passport the cross-reference is easy so the process does not take time.

2. The same national ID gets you anything, like police reports etc. which could be established within a day.

In Ghana we think we know so much, we think we are the wisest yet very simple things are making life difficult for us.
Nii Akwei 12 years ago

Any way you look at it, things are getting worse every day. I am not lying.

Any way you look at it, things are getting worse every day. I am not lying.
lili 12 years ago

Sooner or later a country based on bribery/corruption and lack of a competent government will fail. It is sad to see this continue to happen in Ghana because it has so much other things going for it. It has great resources ...
read full comment

Sooner or later a country based on bribery/corruption and lack of a competent government will fail. It is sad to see this continue to happen in Ghana because it has so much other things going for it. It has great resources and great people. All of the chaos makes it quite unattractive for tourism as well as for its citizens.
princewilly@ymail.com 12 years ago

The old Ghanaian absent mindedly arrived at Congo Kinshasa customs at Kinshasa airport and fumbled for his passport.
"You have been to Congo Kinshasa before Monsieur?", the customs officer asked sarcastically.

The ancient ...
read full comment

The old Ghanaian absent mindedly arrived at Congo Kinshasa customs at Kinshasa airport and fumbled for his passport.
"You have been to Congo Kinshasa before Monsieur?", the customs officer asked sarcastically.

The ancient Ghanaian admitted that he had been to Congo before.
"Then you should know enough to have your passport ready for inspection", snapped the irate official.
The Old Guy said that the last time he came to Congo Kinshasha he did not have to show his passport.
"Impossible, old man. You Ghanaian's always have to show your passports on arrival in Congo."

The old Ghanaian gave the Congolese a long hard look. "I assure you, young man, that when I came ashore on the Congo River Beach in Kinshasa on UN Peace mission in 1961, there was no damned Congolese on the beach asking for passports motherfucker"
Banzagsi Pan-yeli 12 years ago

I cannot believe the extent to which some polically mischievous Ghanaians can lie to denigrate the system in Ghana just to win cheap political points. This charlatan n doesn't not even know that pas spot t issue I s not under ...
read full comment

I cannot believe the extent to which some polically mischievous Ghanaians can lie to denigrate the system in Ghana just to win cheap political points. This charlatan n doesn't not even know that pas spot t issue I s not under the Interior Ministry but under Foreign Affairs. He is equally unaware that since 2010 passport issue in Ghana has been streamlined under a decentralized regime that has radically transformed and made easier the acquisition of passports in Ghana. Why would you lie to discredit your own country? Bastard.
DAN 12 years ago

You go to post office get application, attach your birth certificate and passport pictures and 1 month later you get a passport..$100

You go to post office get application, attach your birth certificate and passport pictures and 1 month later you get a passport..$100

Matthe 12 years ago

Left Ghana over 40yrs ago.Same story then.Seems Ghanains enjoy punishment.

Left Ghana over 40yrs ago.Same story then.Seems Ghanains enjoy punishment.
KOFI-DANSO-CALIFORNIA-USA. 12 years ago

BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY IN GHANA NOW.GOVT OFFICIALS
IN AUTHORITY TAKE DELIGHT IN MAKING THINGS DIFFICULT FOR THEIR FELLOW GHANAIANS FROM UNJUSTIFIABLY,UNHOLY CUSTOM DUTIES AT THE PORTS TO LACK OF SUPPL ...
read full comment

BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY IN GHANA NOW.GOVT OFFICIALS
IN AUTHORITY TAKE DELIGHT IN MAKING THINGS DIFFICULT FOR THEIR FELLOW GHANAIANS FROM UNJUSTIFIABLY,UNHOLY CUSTOM DUTIES AT THE PORTS TO LACK OF SUPPLIES OF BASIC FACILITIES OF LIFE. WHEN WILL GHANAIANS LEARN WE ARE THY BROTHERS KEEPER.IT,S ONLY IN GHANA YOU WILL BUY A VEHICLE OUTSIDE FOR US$3,000.00 AND PAY SAME OR MORE AS DUTY/PROCESSING COSTS.I IMPORTED A 5YR. OLD VEHICLE COSTING US$16,000.00 INTO POOR GAMBIA AND PAID US1,000.00 DUTY,WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY COUNTRY GHANA AFTER USING IT FOR 3 YEARS I WAS ASKED TO PAY C150 MILLION EQUIV.US$10,000 AS DUTY.I DECIDED NOT TO AND HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO GAMBIA. IT THIS FAIR?A SIMILAR THING HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER WHO WAS ASKED TO PAY A C250MILLION EQIV.US$12,500 DUTY ON A 2YR.OLD VEHICLE COSTING US$18,000.HE DID NOT PAY THIS UNGODLY DUTY SO HAD TO SHIP IT TO U.K. WHERE NO DUTY WAS PAID SINCE HE IS BRITISH ALSO.GOVT SHOULD REALIZE THAT DUE TO SUCH EXCESSIVE DUTY,PEOPLE DEVICE SEVERAL MEANS TO DEPRIVE GOVT OF MUCH NEEDED REVENUE AND ALSO CREATES AVENUES FOR BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION AT THE PORTS ETC.FURTHER CAUSING LOSS OF REVENUE TO GOVT.GOVT HAS A LOT TO DO TO REVISIT SUCH INEFFICIENCIES IN THE SYSTEM IF SUSTAINED PROGRESS AND EFFECTIVE INCREASE/COLLECTION OF REVENUES WOULD BE ACHIEVED.GOVT WAKE UP AND STOP SLEEPING TO CORRECT SUCH INEFFICIENCIES AND STOP HEEDING TO NAIVE AND LAZY POLICIES/MEASURES THAT WOULD ONLY BREED MORE CORRUPTION AND CAUSE REVENUE LOSS TO GOVT.
OBSERVER 12 years ago

Importing vehicles threatens the dynamic Ghanaian car industry, hence the duties to deter people like you.

Look at the utter wrecks on sale here for $10,000 plus. In Europe they would long since have been scrapped.

Importing vehicles threatens the dynamic Ghanaian car industry, hence the duties to deter people like you.

Look at the utter wrecks on sale here for $10,000 plus. In Europe they would long since have been scrapped.
FUEL 12 years ago

I got my passport in 2 weeks,didn't pay one pesewa as bribe n didn't know anybody.when I got to d passport office at 9am, they were telling me stories.but when I left @ 1pm,I've had my form approved,photo taken n asked 2 pick ...
read full comment

I got my passport in 2 weeks,didn't pay one pesewa as bribe n didn't know anybody.when I got to d passport office at 9am, they were telling me stories.but when I left @ 1pm,I've had my form approved,photo taken n asked 2 pick my new passport in 2 wks
Obiba Aspong 12 years ago

How is it that Nigerian criminals are able to obtain Ghanaian passports with ease?

How is it that Nigerian criminals are able to obtain Ghanaian passports with ease?
Kwame D. 12 years ago

You make me laugh!!!!

Get any real link to the Passport Office, {mind you, they are very highly suspicious when you contact them}, produce your GHC100 Passport form with Birth Cert; then add GHC250 (2.5million) and next da ...
read full comment

You make me laugh!!!!

Get any real link to the Passport Office, {mind you, they are very highly suspicious when you contact them}, produce your GHC100 Passport form with Birth Cert; then add GHC250 (2.5million) and next day, I can guarantee that you will get the passport before noon.

I have gone through this, I got three other persons to go through this, and I know that 2-Day period is maximum when you put above requirements.

How I wish that I have a job in that lucrative institution. More than License Office, more than CEPS!

Long live Ghana
OBSERVER 12 years ago

Yet another example of Ghana's headlong rush to failure. How long before we are bracketed with Haiti?

Yet another example of Ghana's headlong rush to failure. How long before we are bracketed with Haiti?
Jack 12 years ago

Ghana labor force must change. We need to impliment new time system. Mjority of Gov workers don't stayed in their offices. They need to Clock-in-and Clock-out if you don't show to work no pay.
You get paid hours work only th ...
read full comment

Ghana labor force must change. We need to impliment new time system. Mjority of Gov workers don't stayed in their offices. They need to Clock-in-and Clock-out if you don't show to work no pay.
You get paid hours work only then they'll take their jobs seriously. We need to stop given them money under the table. If you bride they won't process your passport that which is wrong for the country Africa you have a long way to go. Black people you need to change from old habits to new.
Hitman 12 years ago

Bravo.. i like that. Its high time we speak up using various media. Good work done. Its very frustrating to apply for a passport in Ghana. They are just imbeciles n nitwits operating in those departments

Bravo.. i like that. Its high time we speak up using various media. Good work done. Its very frustrating to apply for a passport in Ghana. They are just imbeciles n nitwits operating in those departments
Yaw Amofa 12 years ago

You dumbo, what has passport acquisition to do with power rationing? Just so that the govt becomes unpopular, isnt it? Nka 3b3y3 den na ay3 wo ya! )twea!

You dumbo, what has passport acquisition to do with power rationing? Just so that the govt becomes unpopular, isnt it? Nka 3b3y3 den na ay3 wo ya! )twea!

Diasporan 12 years ago

The writer was just saying that just as most services including power supply don't work properly in Ghana, the passport process also does'nt work properly. I see nothing wrong with that statement. Watch your insulting langua ...
read full comment

The writer was just saying that just as most services including power supply don't work properly in Ghana, the passport process also does'nt work properly. I see nothing wrong with that statement. Watch your insulting language and try to be polite.
Castro 12 years ago

This applies to most Departments in Ghana go to any Office in Ghana,before
your papers is process you have to pay
whwt is call Bribe,even then it will
take months your papers is process.

This applies to most Departments in Ghana go to any Office in Ghana,before
your papers is process you have to pay
whwt is call Bribe,even then it will
take months your papers is process.
Moses 12 years ago

It may be a nightmare for Ghanaians but not Ngerians who can acquire Ghanaian passport with a little grease.

It may be a nightmare for Ghanaians but not Ngerians who can acquire Ghanaian passport with a little grease.
FUEL 12 years ago

Really?tell me how those crookish nigerians do it.you appear in person n be vetted by at least a bni official n a foreign ministry guy.unless a nigerian has lived in Ghana for long and can speak d local language,I'll know whe ...
read full comment

Really?tell me how those crookish nigerians do it.you appear in person n be vetted by at least a bni official n a foreign ministry guy.unless a nigerian has lived in Ghana for long and can speak d local language,I'll know when a nigerian speaks,huh?
betty 12 years ago

Bro, you are misinformed or something. When you get to know the reality on the ground you will why things are how they are. What the ministry has to do is organize public awareness exercises so Ghanians get to appreciate what ...
read full comment

Bro, you are misinformed or something. When you get to know the reality on the ground you will why things are how they are. What the ministry has to do is organize public awareness exercises so Ghanians get to appreciate what goes on in the acquisition of a Ghanaian passport.
NICHOLAS 12 years ago

I want to apply for a passport, can someone please give me a guidelines and location with contact to the passport agencies? please, is urgent

I want to apply for a passport, can someone please give me a guidelines and location with contact to the passport agencies? please, is urgent

36 Comments

Welcome,

SIGN IN

Welcome,

RESET PASSWORD

Hello,

Terms and conditions

REGISTER

Acquiring a passport in Ghana is a nightmare

Read Comments .st0{display:none;fill:#14BDD3;} .st1{display:none;} .st2{display:inline;fill:#FC0F0F;} .st3{display:inline;fill:#FFFFFF;} .st4{display:inline;fill:none;stroke:#000000;stroke-width:6;stroke-miterlimit:10;} Comments (36)

Read Comments Comments (36)