The government of Ghana has announced a reduction in the cost of expedited passport processing for Hajj pilgrims.
The move is aimed at making it easier and more affordable for Ghanaian Muslims to obtain passports for their pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
According to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the cost of expedited passport processing has been reduced from GH¢700 to GH¢500 for a 32-page passport.
The reduction is expected to benefit thousands of Ghanaian Muslims who are planning to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage this year.
The minister made the announcement during a visit to the Hajj Village in Accra, where a satellite passport office has been established to expedite passport processing for Hajj pilgrims.
The office will operate from March 4 to March 13, 2025.
The minister explained that the reduction in cost is part of the government’s efforts to make passport services more accessible and affordable for all Ghanaians.
He assured that the government was committed to ensuring that all Ghanaian Muslims who wish to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage are able to do so without any difficulties.
The satellite passport office at the Hajj Village is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and staffed by experienced personnel who will provide efficient and friendly service to applicants.
The office will operate from 8 am to 5 pm daily, and applicants can expect to receive their passports within three days of application.
The Acting Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board, Alhaji Collins Dauda, commended the government for its efforts to make the Hajj pilgrimage easier and more affordable for Ghanaian Muslims.
The reduction in the cost of expedited passport processing is expected to benefit not only Hajj pilgrims but also other Ghanaian citizens who require passport services.
Story By: Emmanuel Coffie
