Ablakwa: Courier services to distribute 70,000 unclaimed passports
On February 9, 2025, 1:05 AM
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced plans to introduce a courier system to address the backlog of 70,000 uncollected passports.
Ablakwa stated that an immediate audit would be carried out to identify applicants and ensure that unclaimed passports are delivered to their rightful owners.
“We will roll out a courier system so that applicants can receive their passports wherever they are. There must be a clear indication of who the applicants are, and if addresses are available, we will call them,” Ablakwa said in an interview.
Additionally, he highlighted that digitization and operational reforms at the passport office would improve efficiency and expedite processing times.
On the topic of Diplomatic Passports, Mr. Ablakwa expressed concern about the current issuance practices, stressing that diplomatic passports should be reserved exclusively for government officials and foreign service personnel.
The Foreign Affairs Minister revealed plans for a comprehensive review of the issuance system to curb misuse and strengthen the country’s international standing.
