By Iddi Yire
Accra, Dec 2, GNA – President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday, December 2, launched Ghana’s chip embedded passport in Accra.
At the launch, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, presented the first copy of the chip embedded passport to the President.
Pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph One of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act 1967 (NLCD 155), the Foreign Ministry started the chip-embedded passport project in 2016.
Through a Build, Operate, and Transfer (“BOT”) arrangement, the Ministry partnered with Biometric Travel Solutions Limited, a private Ghanaian firm, to undertake the project, aimed at bringing Ghanaian passports into strict compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s regulations and the quickly evolving global interoperability standards for biometric identification.
President Akufo-Addo in his remarks said: “Today is a day of pride and joy for our beloved country, Ghana. Standing here, I am filled with excitement and optimism as we launch a transformative initiative that will enhance how we connect with the world—the e-Passport.”
“This moment goes beyond technology or government policy. It is a statement about who we are and the journey we are on as a people. The e-Passport is not just a travel document. It is a symbol of our progress, our resilience, and our readiness to embrace the future with confidence.”
The President said for generations, the Ghanaian passport had carried the stories, dreams, and aspirations of the people; adding that it had served as a gateway to opportunities, allowing Ghanaians to pursue education, business, and family connections across borders.
He said the Ghanaian passport had long been a gateway to the world for our people, and that its evolution from handwritten travel documents in the 1960s, to typewritten machine-readable passports in the 1990s, and to biometric passports in 2010 reflects our nation’s determination to adapt to global trends and standards.
Adding that each iteration had marked a step forward, affirming the Government’s commitment to provide Ghanaians with secure and efficient means of travel.
“Today, with the e-Passport, we take a giant leap forward. This is not just about catching up with the rest of the world; it is about leading with innovation, putting Ghana on the map as a nation committed to excellence, and making life easier for every Ghanaian,” he stated.
“The chip-embedded passport we launch today represents the pinnacle of this journey. It embodies cutting-edge technology designed to enhance document security, safeguard national identity, and meet the stringent standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization.”
The President said at its core, the new passport was a pledge to protect the identity and dignity of every Ghanaian; and that with advanced biometric features securely embedded in a microchip, it was virtually impervious to tampering or forgery.
He said this innovation was a crucial step in curbing identity theft and eliminating fraudulent access to Ghana’s travel documents.
Resident Akufo-Addo said beyond its technological and practical advantages, the new Ghana passport was a celebration of Ghanaians’ national identity.
The President lauded Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, whose exemplary leadership had driven the chip embedded passport initiative to fruition; declaring that her dedication to transforming Ghana’s passport administration into a world-class system was truly commendable.
On her part, Ms Ayorkor Botchwey said transitioning from the use of the biometric passport to the historic chip-embedded passport was not merely an upgrade in technology; rather, it was a manifestation of the Government’s sincere dedication to efficiency, security, and adherence to international standards.
She said while the current biometric passport had served Ghanaians steadfastly for over a decade, the demands of a fast-paced technological evolution had necessitated this upgrade.
“As the gateway to Africa, Ghana must remain at the forefront of growth and development by implementing novel technological developments in security documents taking into account new international standards, threats, and growth prospects,” she said.
Mr Tamás Fehér, Hungary Ambassador to Ghana, said the introduction of the chip embedded passport in Ghana, marks an elevation of the remarkable partnership between the two countries.
Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Adarkwa, a representative of Biometric Travel Solutions Limited, said the Company was glad to be associated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to produce the new chip embedded passport, which meets all the standards sought by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
GNA
