All 16 regions now have passport centres

Ghana’s passport services have taken a major step closer to citizens, as the government completes a long-awaited nationwide expansion that places Passport Application Centres in every region of the country.

The milestone was confirmed by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who said the rollout removes long-standing barriers that forced many applicants to travel long distances just to begin the passport process. With the final centres now operational, applicants in all 16 regions can access services closer to home.

The expansion is being capped with a series of regional commissioning ceremonies. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister James Gyakye Quayson is expected to inaugurate centres in Ahafo, Bono East and Western North, while Ablakwa will oversee the commissioning of facilities in the North East and Savannah regions. The Oti Region centre, located in Dambai, has already begun operations.

Ablakwa says the move fits into the broader national development agenda under John Mahama, aimed at decentralising public services and improving access for citizens outside major urban areas. The new centres are expected to reduce congestion at older passport offices, shorten processing times and cut travel costs for applicants.

For residents in previously underserved regions, the rollout marks a practical shift in how essential services are delivered, signalling a renewed focus on convenience, equity and nationwide inclusion in public administration.