Effective May 1, 2024, Ghanaian citizens seeking various services related to the Ghana Card will face revised charges outlined by the NIA. Notably, first-time applicants will continue to receive their cards free of charge, promoting broader access to this essential identification tool.
According to details released in a Facebook post by the National Identification Authority, fees for Ghanaians will range from GH¢125 to GH¢365 depending on the type of service required. Foreign nationals will also experience adjusted fees, ranging from $27 to $155 based on their specific needs.
These adjustments follow recent increases in Ghana’s passport application fees, which saw a rise of over 500 percent in some cases. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration defended these changes as necessary to streamline processes and ensure the sustainability of passport production.
Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey highlighted the importance of cost-effectiveness in printing passport booklets, emphasizing the need to combat corruption within the passport office. As part of these efforts, Minister Botchwey has initiated a comprehensive investigation into personnel conduct at the office in Accra.
In response to ongoing concerns about corruption, Minister Botchwey has also announced measures to address staff secondments at the passport office, aiming to restore public trust in the system.
The revised fees, now available on the Ministry’s official website, mark a shift towards enhancing government services while tackling challenges that have hindered operational efficiency and integrity in Ghana’s identification and passport issuance processes.
By Bernice Adjei Kodie
