In a momentous step toward inclusive development and improved public service delivery, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, under the leadership of Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has officially inaugurated the Bolgatanga Passport Application Centre (PAC) in the Upper East Regional capital. Apexnewsgh reports
This landmark initiative forms part of the government’s broader commitment to decentralising passport services, thus ensuring that every Ghanaian, regardless of geographic location, enjoys equitable access to essential documentation.
For decades, residents of the Upper East Region and its surrounding communities faced significant hurdles in obtaining or renewing their passports. The closest PACs were located in Tamale and Kumasi, forcing applicants to embark on long, costly, and often inconvenient journeys, sometimes spanning over three hours, just to complete the process. For a region with a population exceeding 1.3 million, this meant countless hours lost, added financial burdens, and unnecessary risks on the road.
The opening of the Bolgatanga PAC signals an end to these challenges. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Hon. Ablakwa acknowledged the historical significance of the day: “This is the first time in the history of the Upper East Region that we are opening a Passport Application Centre. Today, we are making history. It should not have taken us this long, but as they say, better late than never.”
He further emphasized that development must be inclusive and not limited to a select few regions: “Government services must be made available to all parts of Ghana so that all of us can feel a part of our national progress and transformation.”
The story of the Bolgatanga PAC is also one of community spirit and collaboration. The Alagumgube Association, a local group with its founder, Gabriel Agambila, played a pivotal role by mobilizing resources to assist in the renovation of the facility, originally a Ghana Commercial Bank property. The bank readily handed over the building for conversion, removing all obstacles to the project.
Regional authorities also demonstrated keen interest, with the regional minister reaching out for the Ministry’s approval and support. Hon. Ablakwa praised the sense of unity, stating, “What we celebrate today is a mark of togetherness, of unity, of community support where we all come together.”
The Minister was quick to commend the Ministry’s staff, who undertook long journeys and tireless nights to ensure that the new centre met the exacting standards required for a modern passport office. This included directors from various departments, Finance, Passport, Consulate in Humanitarian Affairs Bureau (COHAB), and Information Public Affairs Bureau (IPAP), alongside private partners and courier companies, all combining their efforts for a seamless launch.
The Bolgatanga PAC is a key milestone in a nationwide agenda. Until now, seven regions in Ghana lacked a passport application centre. With the new addition, that number is down to six, and Hon. Ablakwa has set an ambitious target: by the end of 2025, every one of Ghana’s 16 regions will have its own PAC. “We are putting in the resources, we are putting in the effort, and I am very confident that by the end of this year, all 16 regions in Ghana will have passport application centers,” he assured.
This commitment, he explained, stems from the government’s belief that development must be inclusive, reaching every corner of the country. He reminded attendees that the acquisition of a passport is a right, not a privilege, for every Ghanaian citizen.
The Bolgatanga PAC is not just about access; it also represents a leap forward in security and efficiency. Ghanaian passports are now highly sought after, particularly following successful negotiations for visa waivers and the country’s removal from the US sanction list. As a result, demand for Ghanaian passports has surged, particularly in border regions like Upper East, which shares a boundary with Burkina Faso.
Hon. Ablakwa assured the public that robust security protocols are in place to prevent fraudulent passport acquisition. All PACs across Ghana are networked and powered by advanced AI technology. “Once you are blacklisted here in Bolga, immediately, in real time, you are blacklisted at all passport application centers across the country,” he explained, highlighting a new era of digital vigilance. “We have retrained all our passport application offices. There is absolutely no way that we are going to allow the Ghanaian passport to be easily obtained by any foreigner.”
The Minister also discussed a suite of customer-focused reforms designed to make the passport process more convenient than ever. Notably, applicants no longer need to return to the PAC to receive their passports; instead, Ghana Post now delivers completed passports directly to applicants’ homes or offices. An e-tracking system allows applicants to monitor the status of their applications in real time.
Additionally, the Ministry guarantees that passports will be ready within 15 working days, with an expedited service available for those who need their documents even faster, sometimes in as little as three days.
The Bolgatanga PAC is equipped to issue Ghana’s latest generation of chip-embedded passports, compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. These modern documents offer enhanced security features and durability, ensuring their holders enjoy a smooth experience both locally and internationally.
Hon. Ablakwa demonstrated the effectiveness of the new system by surprising the first seven citizens of Bolgatanga, who had earlier completed their biometrics, with their new chip-embedded passports—ready in under five days. “We mean business,” he declared, “This is not some white elephant commissioning. Once we commission, the passport application officials will start work immediately. And those of you who don’t have passports can apply immediately.”
Residents of the Upper East Region seeking passport services can now contact the Bolgatanga PAC via email at ipab@mfa.gov.ghOpens a new window or by phone at +233 240 913 284 and +233 240 793 072. For updates and further information, the Ministry maintains an active presence on its official X (Twitter) handle, @GhanaMFA.
Citizens are encouraged to take advantage of the Ministry’s online application platform for faster, more efficient processing and to utilize the new centre for all passport-related needs.
The inauguration of the Bolgatanga Passport Application Centre is more than a local event, it is a symbol of Ghana’s progress toward equitable development. As Hon. Ablakwa concluded in his address, “We are here to celebrate unity. We are here to celebrate togetherness. We are here to celebrate passion, concerted effort, taking no for an answer, and deciding that an injustice which has existed for so many years, where the Upper East Region, a region that has 1.3 million Ghanaians residing here, for passport acquisition, you have to travel a long distance to Tamale. Today, we say no more to the inconvenience, no more to wasting of resources, no more to the stress, and no more hassle. Just because you want to acquire a passport, which is your right as a Ghanaian, as a citizen.”
With the Bolgatanga PAC up and running, the government has taken a crucial step toward making essential services more accessible, efficient, and secure for all. The Ministry’s ongoing reforms and technological upgrades underscore a vision of a Ghana where every citizen, regardless of region, can participate fully in national life and access the documentation that enables them to do so.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
