The Majority in Parliament has justified the decision by the government to increase the cost of passport acquisition.
For those applying for the standard 32-page passport booklet, it is now GH¢500, whereas the 48 pages will cost GH¢644.
An expedited application of a 48-page booklet will now cost GH¢800, whereas an expedited application of a 32-page booklet will cost GH¢700.
The new fees have generated several reactions, with the majority of Ghanaians describing them as outrageous.
But the Majority caucus has explained that the subsidy of passport fees by 400 Ghana Cedis should not solely benefit the 20% of Ghanaians who require passports for travel, as it is not equitable.
Speaking to journalists in Accra on Wednesday, Andy Appiah Kubi, MP for Asante Akim North, said: “We agree that it is only about 20% of Ghanaians that need passports to travel out of the country. And therefore, looking at it from that context, the passports then become a privilege, not a right or need. So, if it is a privilege, who should bear the cost of passports? To be honest with you, within the subregion, passports in Ghana are the cheapest and indeed it is incomparable with anywhere else.”
“The most immediate cost element is from Liberia, and they are charging GH499.50, which is the equivalent of $50 for passports that span for five years…Indeed how fair will it be for only 20% of us to surcharge all of us, the 80% for what they want for their purpose of travelling? It is not fair,” he added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
