By Hannah Dadzie
In a groundbreaking move to streamline passport acquisition for Ghanaian Muslims embarking on the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a satellite passport office at the Hajj Village in Accra.
The initiative, hailed as historic, aims to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, ensuring that prospective pilgrims receive their passports within a maximum of three days.
Speaking at the Hajj Village, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the process had long been fraught with frustration, delays, and exploitation by middlemen, popularly known as ‘Goro boys’, highlighting the government’s commitment to reforming passport administration in Ghana.
“We have set a target; within a maximum of three working days, applicants will receive their passports. Some may even receive them within 24 to 48 hours, but no one will wait beyond 72 hours,” the Foreign Affairs Minister assured.
The newly established satellite passport office at the Hajj Village will offer a seamless, all-in-one service, eliminating the need for applicants to visit multiple locations. National security, immigration, and other relevant agencies will be stationed on-site to verify and process applications, ensuring that qualified applicants receive their passports swiftly.
To extend these services beyond the capital, dedicated Hajj booths have been set up in other regions. This ensures that pilgrims across the country benefit from the expedited passport issuance without unnecessary travel and delays. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said this initiative aligns with a broader agenda to decentralise passport services, making them more accessible to various groups.
“Never in the history of the Hajj pilgrimage have we had passports issued at the Hajj Village, but today, history is being made. We are bringing convenience and efficiency to the doorstep of our Muslim brothers and sisters who are preparing to fulfill this important pillar of Islam. This is a game-changer that aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of a reformed and efficient passport system,” Mr Ablakwa indicated.
In a significant policy shift, the expedited service, which would typically cost GHS 700 and above, will be available at the standard passport fee of GHS 500. The Minister warned against unauthorised intermediaries charging additional fees, urging applicants to make payments directly through official channels.
“Ordinarily for expedited service, you pay GHS 700 and above, but for this exercise we are carrying out at the Hajj Village and all our passport application centres for our Muslim brothers and sisters, we’ve decided to charge the ordinary fees of GHS 500. I’m deliberately announcing this caution to those who will meet people and charge extra fees,” the Minister noted.
Chairman of the interim Hajj Taskforce, Alhaji Collins Dauda, expressed gratitude for the initiative, calling it a “blessing to the Muslim community”. He recounted past struggles pilgrims faced in acquiring passports, including long queues, delays, and physical exhaustion.
“In previous years, some pilgrims collapsed at passport offices due to stress, frustration, and delays. With this intervention, acquiring a passport will be as convenient as doing it from home. We can only be grateful to President Mahama for this initiative. As Muslims, we are expecting happiness,” Alhaji Dauda said.
With an estimated 5,000 Ghanaian pilgrims expected to travel to Mecca for the 2025 Hajj, the initiative is set to significantly ease the process, ensuring timely passport issuance in line with Saudi authorities’ deadlines.
As the government continues its Reset Ghana agenda, the minister reaffirmed the commitment to eliminating inefficiencies and enhancing service delivery across all sectors.
“We are here to serve you, to cut out frustration, and to make sure you get what you need without unnecessary stress. Charity begins at home, and we will continue to challenge ourselves to provide the best services for Ghanaians,” Mr Ablakwa said.
The satellite passport office at the Hajj Village will operate until the March 13 payment deadline, with a possibility of extension based on demand.
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