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Ghana has officially begun the nationwide rollout of its new chip-embedded passports, marking a significant step in modernizing the country’s travel documentation and aligning with international standards. In this explainer, DUBAWA aimed to educate the public on what the rollout means and how the government plans to phase out the old passports gradually.
What is a Chip-Embedded Passport?
Ghana’s chip-embedded passport, also known as the e-passport, is a modern, biometric travel document. This passport includes a secure microchip that stores critical information about the passport holder beyond what is printed on the page. This allows immigration systems around the world to electronically verify the authenticity of the passport and the identity of the traveller with greater speed and accuracy.
Why Is Ghana Introducing This?
- Global Standards: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN body that regulates passports, recommends that all countries move towards chip-based passports for security and efficiency. This can be found on page 33 of the ICAO’s report on the Machine Readable Documents.
- Tightening Security: Chip passports make it much harder to forge identities or create counterfeit travel documents.
- Ease of Travel: Many international airports now have e-gates allowing e-passport holders to pass immigration checks in minutes without queuing for manual inspections. This falls in line with the recently launched e-gates at the Kotoka International Airport by the former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
How Will It Be Rolled Out?
This is not an immediate mass replacement. Instead, the rollout will happen gradually, in phases:
- New Applicants: Starting on the announced rollout date of April 28, 2025, all new passport applicants will automatically receive a chip-embedded passport.
- Renewals: Ghanaians whose passports expire and who apply for renewal will be issued a new e-passport instead of the old booklet.
- Existing Valid Passports: If you already have a valid passport, you can continue using it until it expires. However, all old passports must be replaced before 2030. This timeline gives citizens enough time to transition and acquire a new passport.
Will It Cost More?
According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, the Cabinet has slashed passport application fees from 500 cedis to 350 cedis, pending parliamentary approval. This can be found from 46 minutes and 21 seconds to 46 minutes and 35 seconds, during a press conference on April 25, 2025, ahead of the rollout on April 28, 2025.
What Are the Benefits to Ordinary Ghanaians?
This government move aims to speed up immigration checks at airports globally, reduce the risk of identity theft, and enhance Ghana’s international travel credibility.
How will I receive my new passport?
Applicants can now track their passports from application to delivery via the online portal. Once ready, the passport can be sent via courier services. However, for those without reliable addresses, you can opt to pick it up at your nearest Ghana Post office.
How To Protect the New Passport
According to the Foreign Affairs Minister;
- The new passport contains a biographical data page composed of layers of polymer compressed into a solid substrate. It must not be bent and should not be kept in the pocket, especially in the back pockets.
- It must be protected from heat and all forms of liquid
- Do not store other cards with a Chip embedded in them inside the passport, as it may interfere with encoded information on the RFID inside the passport.
Conclusion
Ghana’s rollout of chip-embedded passports marks a bold step in the country’s journey to secure its borders and enhance the ease of international travel for its citizens. By aligning with global standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, the country is not only safeguarding the integrity of its travel documents but also providing Ghanaians with the convenience of faster and more secure border crossings. While the transition will be gradual, people with old passports will have until 2030 to replace them with chip-embedded passports.
