Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong says the ministry will not heed to calls to review downward the recently upward adjustment in passport application fees in the country.
Speaking in a yet-to-be aired interview with JoyNews, Ampratwum-Sarpong said the increment is necessary to offset the losses the state has been incurring in printing passports and the ministry has no intention of reviewing it downwards.
The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration said this while responding to concerns by the Deputy Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Ablakwa had expressed disappointment in the decision to adjust the fees at this time and such high rates, describing it as unacceptable.
While admitting that Ghana’s fees are among the lowest in the sub-region and that there had not been any adjustment for a long time, he argued that the prevailing economic situation is not right for such astronomical hikes.
He said his side led by him had raised concerns about the timing when the minister made the proposal before the committee and had recommended a gradual approach to adjusting the fees instead to minimize the impact on applicants.
He, therefore, couldn’t fathom why the ministry would ignore their recommendations and slapped such hefty hikes at a time citizens are still facing hardships due to the country’s economic crisis.
Ablakwa served notice that his side would push for the minister to be summoned over the matter.
But Ampratwum-Sarpong, though indicated the ministry will honour a summon from parliament, reiterated that the ministry will not reduce the fees.
He also took on the Deputy Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament for “playing to the gallery”.
According to him, neither Ablakwa nor any of the Minority members on the committee raised any issue when the proposal was made.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry this week announced increment in the passport application fees.
The increment, which took effect on April 1, 2024, will see applicants pay GH¢500 for a 32-page booklet instead of the previous fees of GH¢100 and GH¢644 for a 48-page booklet standard services from the GH¢150 previously charged.
Expedited service fees have also been increased from GH¢150 to GH¢700 for a 32-page booklet and from GH¢200 to GH¢800 for 48-page booklet.
This followed the approval of general fees and charges for the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Ministry by Parliament.
