Minority Slams Government Over $1.2m Passport Relaunch
Akufo-Addo Administration Already Launched Biometric Passport in 2024 – Minority
Edem Latsu Nukafu 
The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of causing financial loss to the state through the “unnecessary” relaunch of Ghana’s chip-embedded biometric passport, claiming the move cost taxpayers $1.2 million.
According to the Minority, the relaunch was wasteful, as the biometric passport had already been fully secured and officially launched by the former Akufo-Addo administration on December 2, 2024. They argue that the current government should have focused resources on improving passport service delivery rather than repeating an already completed project.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, July 9, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, said:
“The outgoing government secured supply credit, completed all testing, and formally launched the chip-embedded passport on December 2, 2024. They secured 50,000 booklets and a standing order of 200,000. This is all on record at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
He insisted that the $1.2 million could have been better spent addressing persistent service bottlenecks and logistical issues at passport offices across the country.
Losses from Washington Embassy Closure
The Minority also brought renewed attention to the abrupt three-day closure of Ghana’s embassy in Washington, DC, in May 2025. They claim the shutdown, which disrupted passport services, resulted in a financial loss of over $38,000 in expedited service fees and forced 112 travellers to miss connecting flights.
“By dawn, May 26th, 2025, the embassy doors were closed, and 437 confirmed applicants for the week had been cancelled,” Ayeh said. “In three days, the Minister’s decision cost Ghana over $38,200.”
The caucus is calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to submit a full audit report to Parliament on both the passport relaunch and the embassy closure. They are also demanding compensation for all affected applicants and travellers.
The government is yet to respond to the Minority’s claims.
