The Director of International Relations for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alexander Segbefia, has asserted that the astronomical hikes in passport application fees are an avenue for the government to generate more revenue.
Effective Monday, April 1, 2024, the application fee for a 32-page booklet saw an increment of GHC400, from the original cost of GHC100 to GHC500. The 48-page standard booklet is now GHC644. The new fees represent about a 544 percent increase from the previous fees.
In the same vein, applicants opting for the 32-page expedited service will pay GHC700 and GHC800 for the 48-page expedited service.
According to Mr. Segbefia, the government needs to shore up revenue due to mismanagement of the economy.
“Our economy has failed and that economy has failed as a result of the NPP government’s management of the economy. Let us establish that fact,” he stated.
“Because if for eight years, you never had to touch those prices and subsidies, what condition of economy did you receive when government was paying?” Mr. Segbefia quizzed, adding that, “The truth of the matter is that government has to find ways of raising revenue across board in terms of where we find ourselves currently.”
He went on to state that the Akufo-Addo government is looking for “every avenue nook and cranny, including taxes whether direct or indirect are being looked at to raise revenue.”
Meanwhile, government communicators and the Foreign Affairs Ministry have consistently mounted a spirited defence of the new prices for passports.
Minority to push for the reversal of ‘draconian’ passport application fees – Ablakwa
Amongst the justifications include a regional comparison, which revealed that Ghanaians pay the lowest fee for passport acquisition within the sub-region.
A position dismissed by the ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The North Tongu lawmaker urged the Ministry to open the tender process to accept competitive bidding to cut down on production costs. Mr. Ablakwa also said the NDC will “trigger processes to revisit” the new fees when the House resumes from recess.
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- Passport isn’t a document to prove citizenship; it’s a privilege for those who want to travel – Appiah-Kubi
- Increment in passport application fees was expected but the margin is too high – Gyampo