Govt to introduce special fee for Mobile Passport Service - Ablakwa

Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that Parliament will be deliberating on a special fee for the Mobile Passport Application Centre (MPAC) initiative. The MPAC program aims to bring passport services closer to citizens by capturing their biometric data at their preferred locations. This initiative is anticipated to become a permanent feature of passport application services under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ablakwa revealed that the MPAC centres are gaining popularity, necessitating the purchase of additional equipment for data capture. Consequently, the government plans to allocate funds for more MPAC centres in the 2027 budget. During an official visit to the Ashanti Regional Passport Application Centre on October 14, 2026, Ablakwa emphasized that this innovation is designed to generate revenue for ongoing renovations and new developments across all Passport Application Centres in the country. He pointed out that the new approach has resulted in increased revenue compared to earlier years.

Okudzeto Ablakwa stressed the importance of enhancing passport service delivery to the public, stating that residents can now enjoy the convenience of passport services at their homes. To achieve this, the government will seek approval for new fees and charges from Parliament. The Minister clarified that patrons will need to pay a premium for this enhanced service, which offers a risk-free experience and the advantage of receiving services at their preferred locations.