The Parliamentary Majority Caucus has come out in defence of the recent decision by the government to raise passport fees and other services provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. The move has sparked debates among parliamentarians, with differing opinions on the matter.
Addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps, Mr. Andy Appiah Kubi, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, justified the increase, stating that subsidizing passport fees by GH¢400 primarily benefited only 20% of Ghanaians who require passports for international travel. He argued that passports should be seen as a privilege rather than a right or necessity, given that a minority of the population actually requires them.
Mr. Appiah Kubi, a Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North under the New Patriotic Party (NPP), highlighted the comparatively low cost of Ghanaian passports within the sub-region, citing Liberia's fee of GH¢499.50 ($50) for a five-year passport as an example. He emphasized that even with the fee adjustment, Ghana's passport fees remain relatively affordable.
In contrast, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, an MP for North Tongu representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), expressed disappointment at the Ministry's decision to increase passport application fees. He criticized the Ministry for disregarding suggestions, including a proposed graduated approach, from himself and his colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration announced the fee adjustment in line with the 2023 fees and charges regulations, Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2481. Effective April 1, 2024, the fees for expedited 48-page passports increased to GH¢800, while standard application fees range from GH¢500 to GH¢644 depending on the page count.
This decision follows earlier attempts to raise passport fees, as explained by Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the sector Minister, during discussions in Parliament. She highlighted the financial strain caused by the deficit in passport booklet printing, which led to the need for fee adjustments to sustain operations at the Passport Office.
The disparity in passport fees across West African countries was also noted, with Ghana's fee of $7.7 being the lowest within the sub-region. Comparatively, countries like Cameroon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria charge significantly higher fees for passport issuance.
Despite criticisms, the government remains steadfast in its decision, citing the necessity for sustainable operations and the need to align fees with prevailing economic realities. The debate surrounding passport fees is likely to continue as parliamentarians reconvene to address the matter further.