The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has slammed the Foreign Affairs Ministry for the astronomical hikes in passport application fees which took effect today, Monday, April 1, 2024.
According to the North Tongu lawmaker, he, together with his colleagues from the Minority on the Committee, opposed to the increment citing the harsh economic conditions in the country.
He indicated in a post on his social media that they advised that the increment be undertaken gradually when economic conditions improve, but was ignored.
He has asked the Ministry to reconsider the increment, giving an assurance of revisiting the matter when Parliament reconvenes.
Below is Ablakwa’s reaction to the fees adjustment.
I am terribly disappointed in Ghana’s Foreign Ministry for the astronomical increases in passport application fees.
As my NDC colleagues and I always maintained at the Foreign Affairs Committee, the current economic crisis and unprecedented high cost of living make it untenable to impose these draconian fees.
We insisted at Committee that the worst case scenario could be a graduated approach when economic conditions improve but alas they ignored our advice and have gone ahead to impose these insensitive rates in one fell swoop.
The Ministry should reconsider this inimical action immediately.
We shall surely revisit this matter when Parliament resumes from recess.
