PRESS RELEASE: EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC GHANA IN GERMANY COMMENCES THE ISSUANCE OF BIOMETRIC PASSPORTS

The Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in Germany announces for the information of the general public that it has commenced the processing and issuance of biometric passports.

At a brief ceremony on 14^th June, 2016, the Ambassador of Ghana to Germany, H.E. Ms. Akua Sena Dansua, presented the first batch of 50 biometric passports issued by the Mission to applicants.

Addressing the new passport holders, Amb. Akua Dansua observed that the recent challenges associated with passports in Ghana Missions abroad were being addressed expeditiously.

Amb. Dansua explained that biometric passport applications will be done online. She advised applicants to visit the Embassy’s website for all relevant information. The Ambassador also advised applicants to comply with the procedures and requirements so as to enable the Mission also deliver efficient services to applicants.

The launch of the biometric passports is in line with Mission’s objectives to ensure that Ghanaian passport holders transit smoothly from the machine-readable passports to the biometric passport version. In view of the anticipated increase in requests for biometric passports, applicants still have the option to obtain forms in the Mission but make provision for appointments to capture their biometric data at the Consular Section. Mission will use text messaging and e-mail services to notify applicants when their passports are issued and ready for collection.

Applicants are entreated to factor the processing time into their expected travel dates and to exercise maximum restraint when they visit the Consular Section for their application processes.

The Embassy wishes to clarity that applications for biometric passports will only be done at its Consular Section and not at the Embassy’s Honorary Consulates.

The Embassy calls on the general public, particularly passport applicants, to cooperate with it in the implementation of this new system.

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA 

BERLIN