The Barcelona branch of the Ghanaian diaspora has raised concerns over the documentation process at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifically with the department responsible for endorsing documents such as birth certificates, police criminal reports, and other vital documents.
In a statement, Hanson Dartey, Acting Secretary of the NDC Spain, expressed frustration over the delays and inefficiencies in the documentation process, which he believes is hindering the ability of Ghanaians living abroad to access essential services.
“We wish to congratulate Honorable Okudjeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, for the good work he has been doing, particularly in reforming the Ghana Embassy in Washington DC,” Dartey said. “However, it is unfortunate that the department under his ministry responsible for endorsing documents is not working well.”
Dartey cited instances where documents sent to the department for endorsement take several weeks or even months to be processed, with some cases requiring only one person to sign off on the documents. “If the person is not available, nobody can sign it, and the process is delayed further,” he explained.
The delays are particularly concerning for Ghanaians living abroad who require these documents for various purposes, including visa applications and other official processes. “Everything is time-sensitive here in Europe, and if you fail to meet the deadlines, you’re in trouble,” Dartey noted.
The Ghanaian diaspora is calling on Minister Okudjeto Ablakwa to intervene and address the inefficiencies in the documentation process. “We believe the Minister is not aware of these challenges, and that’s why we’re bringing it to his attention,” Dartey said. “We trust that he will take steps to improve the process and make it more efficient for Ghanaians living abroad.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been praised for its efforts to reform and improve its services, including the recent reopening of the Ghana Embassy in Washington DC. However, the concerns raised by the Ghanaian diaspora highlight the need for further improvements in the documentation process to ensure that Ghanaians living abroad can access essential services without unnecessary delays.
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