Source: Ebenezer Adu, for Ghanaiannews Canada. Accra, Ghana
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has commissioned a new Passport Application Centre in the Oti Region, marking a major step toward improving access to passport services for residents of the area.
The commissioning ceremony, held in the regional capital Dambai, forms part of government efforts to decentralise passport processing and reduce the burden on applicants who previously had to travel long distances to access passport services in other regions.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Ablakwa emphasized that the establishment of the passport office in Oti aligns with the government’s broader agenda of bringing essential public services closer to the people. He noted that the new facility will significantly cut travel costs, reduce congestion at existing passport offices, and improve turnaround times for applicants.
According to the minister, the Oti Passport Office is expected to serve not only residents of the region but also neighbouring areas, thereby enhancing efficiency and inclusivity in passport administration.
Local leaders and residents welcomed the development, describing it as a long-overdue intervention that will boost convenience, economic activity, and public confidence in state institutions.
Some traditional authorities present at the ceremony praised the government for responding to the needs of the region.
The Oti Passport Application Centre is equipped to handle biometric capture and other essential passport processes, with trained staff deployed to ensure smooth operations.
The commissioning adds to a growing number of passport offices being rolled out across the country as part of ongoing reforms within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs aimed at modernising Ghana’s passport system.
