Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa the minister of foreign affairs has revealed that the new chip-embedded passports have 175 security features.
He further revealed that the new passport has 175 security features compared to the old one, which has only 32 security features.
According to him, the Introduction of a 24-hour passport processing service, Courier delivery of passports to applicants’ doorsteps, electronic tracking, and a 30% reduction in passport application fees.
Ablakwa further announced that the issuance of the new chip-embedded passports will not exceed 15 days.
Speaking at the launch event at the Passport Headquarters in Accra, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated, “It is the first time sector players within the sector put in concerted effort to provide extra security input that is to be detected at the front lines to the second and third lines, in strict compliance to the standards of the ICAO travel document framework.
“The incorporation of nanotechnology into the protective overlays on the bio page, adds an extra layer of security, thereby upgrading the overall security input in terms of features, from 32 to over 150 overt and covert security features in his new chip-embedded passport.
“The integration of Micro Frequency Identification Chip that encodes and stores variable data of the bearer from the visual inspection, photo and machine-readable, crowns the holistic package of an international standard travel document with first-class document security approved by ICAO,” he stated.
The new e-passports are designed to meet international standards while showcasing Ghana’s cultural identity.
Their design incorporates iconic Adinkra symbols like Fawohodie (Freedom and Independence) and Funtunfunefu Denkyemfunefu (Democracy and Cooperation).
