Ghana to open new passport centre in Ashanti Region by early 2027

The Ghanaian government is set to establish a second Passport Application Centre (PAC) in the Ashanti Region by the first quarter of 2027, addressing long-standing service delivery challenges in the country's second most populous region.

The announcement, made by Deputy Minister of Interior Kwame Agyeman Manu (Ablakwa), signals a significant expansion of passport processing infrastructure outside the capital. Currently, the Greater Accra Region operates three PACs, while Ashanti—home to millions of residents including Kumasi, Ghana's second-largest city—has relied on a single centre.

Addressing service bottlenecks

The establishment of an additional PAC in Ashanti addresses persistent complaints from residents about lengthy queues, appointment delays, and the inconvenience of travelling to Accra for passport services. Many Ghanaians in the region have reported waiting weeks or months for appointments, particularly during peak travel seasons.

By decentralising passport services, the government aims to reduce pressure on existing centres and provide faster, more accessible processing for citizens. This is especially important for businesspeople, students, and travellers who require passports for international movement.

The initiative reflects broader government efforts to improve citizen-facing services and reduce the administrative burden on residents in non-Accra regions.

Why it matters for Ghana

Efficient passport services are critical to Ghana's economic and social development. Delays in obtaining passports can hamper business travel, limit educational opportunities abroad, and frustrate citizens seeking to reunite with family members internationally. The Ashanti Region, with its significant commercial hub in Kumasi and large population, has long justified additional infrastructure investment.

Beyond convenience, decentralised passport centres reduce the pressure on Ghana's immigration system and improve the country's service delivery reputation. For diaspora Ghanaians planning to return home, and for businesses facilitating international trade, smoother passport processing enhances Ghana's competitiveness.

The timeline of Q1 2027 suggests the government is treating this as a priority infrastructure project. If delivered on schedule, it could serve as a model for expanding other government services—such as visa applications and national ID processing—to regional centres across the country.

Next steps and expectations

Residents and stakeholders in Ashanti should expect further announcements regarding the specific location of the new PAC, staffing levels, and operational capacity. The government will likely need to recruit and train additional personnel to ensure the centre meets service standards.

Monitoring implementation will be important; similar projects have sometimes experienced delays. Citizens and civil society organisations in the region should hold government accountable to the Q1 2027 deadline to ensure the promised service improvements materialise as planned.