Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed plans to introduce two key policies aimed at enhancing the efficiency of passport services and improving the welfare of Ghanaians living abroad.
“We are going to put together a policy, as I have noticed that we don’t have a policy on economic diplomacy,” Ablakwa stated while addressing concerns over the current lack of a structured approach to economic diplomacy on Monday, February 10.
As part of his efforts to streamline operations, Ablakwa informed the Chief Director that the ministry would inaugurate two critical policies to address pressing issues faced by citizens both at home and in the diaspora.
The first policy focuses on passport reforms, a topic that has generated significant public concern.
“There’s been a great deal of concern by the Ghanaian people. We need to go on full digitalisation,” Ablakwa emphasised.
He outlined plans to implement a more efficient system, including the introduction of courier services to deliver passports directly to citizens, ensuring that no passport remains uncollected.
“We need to go on full digitalisation, we need to make it possible for courier services to submit passports to people,” he said
Also, the minister proposed the transformation of the passport office into a 24-hour service centre. According to Mr Ablakwa, this will be tailored towards the government’s 24-hour economy plan, where services will be running at all consuls and passport appointment centres nationwide.
“We also want the passport office to become a 24-hour office that operates around the clock, and we will be piloting that as we look at moving all our missions to a 24-hour working period. The second committee we shall set up is the migration and welfare of Ghanaians in the diaspora,” he explained.
“We want the passport office to become a 24-hour office that operates around the clock,” he said, adding that the initiative would extend to Ghana’s foreign missions, which would also adopt round-the-clock operations.
“The second policy centres on the migration and welfare of Ghanaians in the diaspora,” Ablakwa stated that a committee would be established to focus on the well-being and concerns of Ghanaians abroad, acknowledging their vital role in national development.
Mr Ablakwa assured his colleagues that their welfare, both within Ghana and abroad, would be his top priority.
“As I conclude, I would want to admonish all of you colleagues that your welfare will also be my utmost priority,” he said, reinforcing his commitment to the people he serves.
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