Ghanaian Passport - Biometric Passport

Biometric Passport

To conform to the recommended standards (i.e., size, composition, layout, technology) set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has issued only e-passports as standard since March 2010, though non-biometric passports are valid until their expiry dates or November 2015, whichever is sooner. The conversion to the biometric passport also afforded the country the opportunity to adhere to the statues of the ECOWAS region, in issuing standardized ECOWAS passports in place of national passports.

Under these biometric ECOWAS passports, the three types of passports – ordinary, service, and diplomat – are color-coded. Ordinary passports are green in color, service passports appear in blue, and diplomatic passports are red. Additionally, the Ghanaian coat of arms has been replaced by the ECOWAS logo, and the words ‘’’Republic of Ghana’’’ are preceded by the words ‘’’Economic Community of West African States’’’. While the inscriptions on other ECOWAS passports are in the official language of the respective country, Ghana opted to use both French and English for her passports.

Another change with the introduction of the biometric passports is the choice of regular or expedited passport delivery service. It is expected that the new passports will be delivered within 7 to 14 days after the application has been received. Currently, the fee for ordinary delivery service is GH¢50.00, and GH¢100.00 to have it expedited.

To facilitate the application for and acquisition of passports, Passport Application Centers (PACs) have been set up around the country. At present, only two PACs in Accra are accepting applications. It is expected that by the end of 2010, the PACs in Kumasi, Tamale, Ho, Sekondi/Takoradi, and Sunyani will come on stream.