The government has announced the establishment of a dedicated passport centre for Hajj pilgrims while maintaining the expedited passport processing fee at ¢500. This initiative aims to streamline the application process for Ghanaian Muslims preparing for the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa made the announcement on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Hajj Village. He emphasized that the initiative is designed to ease the burden on applicants and ensure they obtain their travel documents in time for their journey.
“In collaboration with the government, we are pleased to announce that the cost of expedited passport processing remains at the usual ¢500 flat rate,” Mr. Ablakwa stated.
He acknowledged the challenges many applicants have faced in securing passports on time and assured the public that the Foreign Ministry has implemented measures to eliminate delays.
Dedicated Passport Centre for Hajj Pilgrims
To enhance efficiency, a special passport centre has been set up at the Hajj Village. This centre, operational from March 4 to March 13, 2025, will exclusively serve Hajj applicants, ensuring a smoother and faster process.
“This special passport centre will serve only Hajj applicants, ensuring they receive timely assistance,” Mr. Ablakwa reiterated.
Regional Support for Applicants
In a bid to extend support beyond Accra, the ministry is deploying kiosks at regional passport application centres across the country. This will enable applicants from different regions to access expedited passport services without the need to travel to the capital.
“To make the process easier for all, we are rolling out kiosks at various regional passport application centres so that applicants outside Accra can also benefit,” Mr. Ablakwa added.
The initiative is expected to significantly reduce delays and enhance the experience of Hajj pilgrims seeking travel documentation.
