The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni has commissioned a new Biometric Passport Application Centre in Ho with an appeal to those holding “machine-readable” passports not to rush to obtain the new passports since they would be in use until November 2015.
Alhaji Mumuni said the new passports which have high security and bio-data features would require prospective applicants to be personally available at the Centres to complete the application processes and requirements.
The new passports according to the minister permit any Ghanaian to travel to any ECOWAS country without a visa and also stay in that country for three months without a resident permit.
He therefore urged Ghanaians to protect the integrity of the biometric passports by reporting any foreigner who might attempt to obtain it and that no middle-men would be required to obtain the new passports.
Volta Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode said the opening of the Centre was a welcome relief to prospective passport applicants in the region since the acquisition of the passport is a right to every Ghanaian.
The opening of the Ho centre brings to six after Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi, Tamale and Sunyani centres.
