The Government has commissioned a Passport Application Centre in Dambai, bringing passport services closer to residents of the Oti Region and ending years of long travel for applicants.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on Monday, 29th December, 2025 officially opened the centre, fulfilling a pledge that all regional capitals would have Passport Application Centres by the end of 2025. With the commissioning of the Dambai facility, the Oti Region has become the first among the newly created regions to benefit from a fully operational passport centre.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Ablakwa said the opening formed part of broader passport administration reforms aimed at improving efficiency, security and access. He outlined measures including the establishment of centres in all regional capitals, the deployment of mobile biometric equipment, enhanced vetting processes and expanded digitisation.
The Minister announced that passport application fees had been reduced from GH₵500.00 to GH₵350.00, with free courier delivery of passports now available. He also introduced an e tracking system to allow applicants to monitor the status of their applications, alongside same day passport processing for emergency cases.
Mr Ablakwa stressed the Government’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the Ghanaian passport, warning that only eligible citizens would be allowed to obtain the document. He said systems had been put in place to swiftly arrest non Ghanaians who attempt to acquire passports illegally, and urged applicants to follow approved procedures and avoid intermediaries.
He disclosed that 10 applicants from the Oti Region had already submitted applications, adding that the centre was fully operational and capable of delivering passports within the stipulated period of under 15 days for regular applications.
The Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, described the opening as a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to decentralisation and equitable access to public services. He noted that residents previously travelled long distances to access passport services, a challenge the new centre would significantly reduce. He commended regional stakeholders for their collaboration and urged staff to maintain professionalism, integrity and high service standards.
The Member of Parliament for Krachi West and a member of the Ministerial Advisory Board, Helen Adjoa Ntoso, also welcomed the development, expressing confidence that the Dambai Passport Application Centre would greatly improve service delivery for residents of the region.
