The majority caucus in Parliament has defended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recent decision to increase passport fees. According to the group, the subsidy of passport fees by 400 Ghana Cedis should not solely benefit the 20% of Ghanaians who require passports for travel, as it is not equitable.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration announced the hike in passport fees, effective Monday, April 1, which has sparked widespread public disapproval and condemnation of the action.
Speaking to journalists in Accra on Wednesday, Andy Appiah Kubi, MP for Asante Akim North, explained that the decision was unanimously taken by the subsidiary legislative committee
chaired by an NDC parliamentarian.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has also clarified that government’s recent increase in passport fees is not aimed at imposing financial hardships on
Ghanaians. According to her, the government spends GH¢400 on each passport, yet applicants pay GH₵100 while the state absorbs GH¢300. Mrs. Ayakor Botchwey explained that because government is
subsidising passports heavily, she faces the challenge of delivering efficient services. She humbly appealed and urged Ghanaians to use their Ghana Card since it has now become the primary
identification document, making passports less essential for national identification.

Mrs. Botchwey further emphasised that the approval for the new increment of the passport fees went through a parliamentary process, stressing that her outfit has no intention of imposing a financial burden on Ghanaians. And that she would be surprised if any parliamentarian can claim that her government wants to impose a financial burden on Ghanaians.