President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has furthered the government’s digitalization agenda with the launch of a new chip-embedded passport, aimed at bringing the country’s travel documents in line with international standards.
The new passport is equipped with advanced security features that make it nearly impossible for non-citizens or fraudsters to obtain the country’s official travel document.
The biometric information embedded in the chip can be used to verify the passport holder’s identity, as it is linked to the national identification system.
The passport is fitted with a microprocessor that stores the holder’s biometric data, photograph, and other unique security features, including anti-fraud measures and both latent and patent indicators, ensuring robust protection against unauthorized access and misuse.
“It is a transformative initiative defining how we connect to the rest of the world,” the President noted at the launching ceremony in Ghana’s capital, Accra.
He explained that the transition from the current biometric passports to chip-embedded ones was driven by the government’s commitment to meeting the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN agency responsible for civil aviation.
“The remarkable journey is a testament of the resilience to embrace the future with confidence,” he stated.
It is expected that the new technology will reduce the turnaround time for passport issuance while enhancing safety and security for all citizens during travel.
The President commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the project’s overseeing body, for spearheading the transformational change.
He praised the ministry’s commitment to efficient passport administration, ensuring transparency and security for the benefit of the public.
Mrs. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the sector minister, revealed that the chip-embedded passport project began eight years ago and was being implemented through a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) arrangement with Biometric Travel Solutions Limited, a private company.
The primary goal, she explained, was to ensure Ghana’s passports fully comply with international standards and the evolving global interoperability requirements for biometric identification.
To support this initiative, the Ministry has streamlined the passport application process, improving efficiency at Passport Application Centres (PACs) and Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad.
The government is also enhancing the passport application experience for citizens by designing, developing, and rolling out an integrated online passport application and delivery system.
