HowGhana is tackling extortion and mistreatment at passport offices.
If you have ever applied for a passport in Ghana, you might have encountered some challenges along the way. You might have faced long queues, delays, corruption, or even harassment from some of the staff or middlemen at the Passport Application Centres (PACs). These issues have been a source of frustration and dissatisfaction for many passport applicants, who often have to pay extra fees or endure poor service to get their passports.
However, things are about to change for the better, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced new measures to combat extortion and mistreatment at the PACs.The Ministry has issued cell phone numbers via which applicants can call and report officers who extort money or mistreat them. The Ministry has also made it mandatory for all officers to wear name tags, so that they can be easily identified and held accountable. The public is advised not to engage any person who is unable to identify themselves with the issued name tags, as they are most likely middlemen, usually referred to as goro boys.
The Ministry has also expressed its concern over reports of some online platforms charging exorbitant fees for passport applications. The Ministry has clarified that the official fee for a passport application is GH¢300 for standard service and GH¢150 for expedited service. The Ministry has urged passport applicants to always use the official channel to acquire their passports and desist from engaging unauthorized persons in the passport application process.
Furthermore, the Ministry has implemented a policy of yearly rotation at the PACs, to prevent officers from overstaying and forming networks with middlemen. The Ministry has also replaced officers who have already served more than a year at the PACs with immediate effect.
These measures are expected to improve the efficiency and transparency of the passport application process, and enhance the customer satisfaction and experience of the applicants. The Ministry has assured the public that it is committed to providing quality service delivery and safeguarding the integrity of the passport system.
If you are planning to apply for a passport in Ghana, you can visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (www.mfa.gov.gh ) for more information on how to apply, where to apply, what documents to submit, and how to track your application status. You can also call or text the following numbers to report any cases of extortion or mistreatment at the PACs:
• 055 663 3288
• 055 671 9888
• 055 671 9889
• 055 671 9890
We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them with us. Thank you for reading!
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