Members of the Minority in Parliament have accused the government of causing a financial loss of $1.2 million through what they describe as an unnecessary relaunch of Ghana’s chip-embedded biometric passport.
According to the Minority, the project was fully completed and officially launched by the previous Akufo-Addo administration in December 2024, making the current expenditure unjustified and a waste of public funds.
Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, July 9, Deputy Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, stated: “The outgoing government secured supply credit, completed all testing, and officially launched the chip-embedded passport on December 2, 2024. They procured 50,000 booklets with a standing order for 200,000 more. This is all on record at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
Mr. Ayeh argued that the $1.2 million spent on relaunching the passport could have been better allocated to improve passport service delivery and resolve operational challenges at passport offices across the country.
The Minority also raised concerns about the abrupt three-day closure of Ghana’s embassy in Washington, DC, in May 2025. According to them, the closure resulted in the cancellation of 437 passport appointments, caused at least 112 travellers to miss connecting flights, and led to a loss of over $38,000 in expedited service fees.
“By dawn on May 26, 2025, the embassy had shut its doors. The Minister’s decision cancelled 437 confirmed appointments for that week, cost Ghana over $38,200 in expedited service fees, and disrupted travel plans for at least 112 individuals,” Mr. Ayeh noted.
The Minority has called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to present a comprehensive audit report to Parliament covering both incidents and to provide compensation to those affected by the embassy closure.
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