On his first day in office as Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa inaugurated two major committees aimed at overhauling the country’s passport system and ensuring safer job migration for Ghanaians seeking opportunities abroad.
The Passport Reforms Committee has been tasked with modernizing the passport application process.
Ablakwa envisions a 24-hour Passport Office that eliminates ‘goro boys’ (middlemen), reduces bureaucratic delays, introduces fairer fees, and provides direct courier services for passport deliveries nationwide.
This, he believes, will make the process more efficient and accessible for all Ghanaians.
The Safe Jobs Migration Committee will work on establishing bilateral agreements with other governments to create secure employment opportunities abroad while protecting Ghanaian workers from exploitation and abuse.
Ablakwa stressed that while job migration is essential for economic growth, it must be done within a regulated framework that guarantees the rights and safety of Ghanaian migrants.
Addressing the staff of the Foreign Ministry, the new minister assured them of his commitment to their welfare and emphasized his vision for a Foreign Ministry that truly serves all Ghanaians.
He promised more reforms in the coming days to align with President Mahama’s transformational foreign policy agenda.
With his swift actions on day one, Ablakwa has made it clear that his tenure will be defined by efficiency, innovation, and results-driven diplomacy.
Story Written By Ebenezer Kewaw Madugu
