President Akufo-Addo Unveils Ghana’s New Chip-Embedded Passport

In a significant leap forward for Ghana’s digital transformation, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo officially launched the country’s new chip-embedded passport on December 2, 2024, in Accra.

This innovative passport symbolizes Ghana’s progress in modernizing its travel documents and enhancing the security of its citizens, marking a historic milestone for the nation.

The new passport features cutting-edge biometric technology, with a microprocessor designed to securely store the holder’s biometric data, photograph, and other unique identifiers.

The incorporation of this technology makes it virtually impossible for criminals or non-citizens to fraudulently acquire Ghanaian travel documents, ensuring that only genuine citizens can hold one.

Speaking at the launch, President Akufo-Addo expressed pride in the achievement, calling the e-passport a symbol of Ghana’s resilience and readiness to embrace the future. “Today is a day of pride and joy for our beloved Ghana,” the President said.

“The e-passport is not just a travel document, but a testament to our progress and our place on the global stage.”

He added that the shift to chip-embedded passports aligns with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), enhancing Ghanaian travelers’ ease of movement worldwide.

Key dignitaries attended the event, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who presented the first chip-embedded passport to President Akufo-Addo.

The new passport project, which took eight years to develop, was implemented through a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) partnership with Biometric Travel Solutions Limited, a private Ghanaian company.

The passport’s design celebrates Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, incorporating Adinkra symbols such as “Fawohodie” (Freedom and Independence) and “Funtunfunefu Denkyemfunefu” (Democracy and Cooperation).

These symbols reflect the nation’s identity while blending seamlessly with the modern technology in the document.

Beyond security, the new e-passport is expected to streamline the passport issuance process, cutting down wait times and improving overall efficiency at Passport Application Centres (PACs) and Ghanaian embassies around the world.

This move enhances travel security for citizens and further positions Ghana as a forward-thinking nation in the global community.

President Akufo-Addo’s launch of the chip-embedded passport is a clear statement of Ghana’s commitment to technological advancement and its vision for global integration.