The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revised the application fees for passport services, with the fee for a 32-page standard booklet now set at GHC500 and GHC644 for a 48-page standard booklet, effective April 1, 2024.

Similarly, expedited services will cost GHC700 for the 32-page booklet and GHC800 for the 48-page booklet.

These adjustments were outlined in the Ministry’s 2024 Budget estimates, approved by Parliament’s Subsidiary Legislation Committee.

Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey had previously proposed the fee review to mitigate losses in passport printing. The updated fees are now reflected on the Ministry’s online passport application page.

Minister Botchwey emphasized the need for realistic prices, stating, “It is time for Ghanaians to pay realistic prices for passports they acquire to travel beginning next year.”

Additionally, she pointed out that Ghana’s current fee of $7.7 was the most economical within the sub-region, contrasting it with the charges in neighboring countries. For example, Cameroon’s fee stands at $180, Guinea at $57, Guinea-Bissau at $65, Burkina Faso at $80, and Nigeria at $54.29 for similar passport services.

The proposed fee adjustments sailed through the committee level unopposed within 21 days, facilitating their implementation.