The member of parliament for Okaikwei Central Patrick Yaw Boamah has stated passport price reduction is not feasible without Parliamentary approval.
According to Patrick Yaw Boamah, the reduction of passport prices remains a pledge by the John Mahama-led government.
He further asserted that the minister does not have the power to unilaterally reduce passport prices without legislative approval and noted the finance minister will determine whether passport prices can be reduced based on revenue projections.
It will be recalled, that Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs announced that the price of the Ordinary Passport booklet is set to be reduced from GH¢ 500 to GH¢ 350.
The minister had earlier stated that GHC500 passport application fees too expensive are too expensive for the ordinary Ghanaian.
According to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, people were complaining about passport fees when they toured the country.
Ablakwa revealed, that the government plans to reduce passport acquisition fees.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament House on Thursday, March 13, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated, “In our effort to make passports more accessible to all Ghanaians, and per instructions I have received from His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, we are pleased to announce the reduction of the ordinary passport booklet, that is the 32-page booklet from the GH₵500 to GH₵350”.
Addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps on Wednesday, in Parliament House, Mr Boamah stated, “The minister had previously indicated that passport prices will be reduced, but it has become clear that he did not have the authority to unilaterally make such a decision.”
“The minister does not have the power to unilaterally reduce passport prices without legislative approval. “The finance minister will determine whether passport prices can be reduced based on revenue projections,” he added.
He added, “I said the other time that the Minister did not have the authorization to unilaterally reduce passport prices. From the answers he gave today, it confirm that passport prices have not been reduced.
“It still remains a pledge of the government, not an implemented policy. We must make it clear to the Ghanaian public not to be carried away,” he said.
