In a significant update to the nation’s travel document administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced the permanent closure of the Premium Passport Application Centres in Accra and Kumasi.
The decision, which took effect on Friday, February 20, 2026, marks a pivotal shift in the Ministry’s operational framework, transitioning away from these specialized hubs toward a more decentralized and streamlined regional model.
Guidance for Pending Applications
The Ministry has issued specific directives for thousands of applicants who had already begun their processes at the premium locations. All clients with pending applications—including those awaiting biometric capture, vetting, or final collection—are advised to:
- Visit Regional Centres: Transition to the standard Regional Passport Application Centres (PACs) in their respective cities to complete their processing.
- Contact Support: Reach out to the Passport Office Client Service Unit at 0302-754-200 for direct assistance with file transfers or status updates.
Strategic Context: Decentralization and Modernization
The closure follows a year of aggressive reforms led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. By the end of 2025, the government successfully established fully operational Passport Application Centres in all 16 regional capitals, including new facilities in Damongo, Goaso, and Nalerigu.
This move coincides with the nationwide rollout of the ICAO-compliant chip-embedded passport, which replaces the older biometric versions. By centralizing operations back into the regional PACs, the Ministry aims to:
- Reduce Costs: Following the reduction of standard application fees from GH¢500 to GH¢350.
- Ensure Uniformity: Maintain high security standards across all centres for the new chip-embedded technology.
- Enhance Delivery: Support the new 24-hour expedited processing service and the doorstep courier delivery system launched in late 2025.
The Ministry has reassured the public that this consolidation is not a reduction in service, but an optimization of resources. With the Passport Head Office now operating around the clock and an electronic tracking system in place, officials maintain that the “premium” experience of speed and convenience is being integrated into the standard national service for all Ghanaian citizens.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
