Residents of the Oti Regional capital, Dambai, can now access passport services closer to home following the commissioning of a new Passport Application Centre (PAC), a move government says reflects its commitment to inclusive national development.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who officially opened the facility on Monday, December 29, said development must be felt in every corner of the country, not concentrated in a few urban centres.

He underscored that President John Dramani Mahama’s administration is determined to ensure that all regions benefit equally from public services, stressing that access to basic state institutions is a matter of dignity and national belonging.

Mr. Ablakwa revealed that government’s target is to have a functional Passport Application Centre in every region of Ghana by the close of December 2025, describing the Dambai facility as a key milestone toward that goal.

He also credited the local community for its role in the project, noting that the centre was established with strong community involvement and support, which he described as critical to its sustainability.

The Foreign Affairs Minister issued a stern warning against attempts by non-Ghanaians to fraudulently obtain Ghanaian passports, emphasising that such acts constitute serious criminal offences. Given Oti Region’s proximity to Ghana’s borders, he said enhanced security measures have been put in place to protect the integrity of the passport system.

According to him, passport staff nationwide have undergone retraining, while stricter vetting procedures have been introduced to close loopholes and stay ahead of fraudsters.

Mr. Ablakwa also announced reforms aimed at improving efficiency, including a new arrangement that will allow applicants to receive their passports without returning to the centre to collect them, easing congestion and reducing inconvenience.

He encouraged residents to see the new PAC as their own and to help protect it from abuse, noting that its success depends on collective responsibility.

Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, welcomed the development, describing it as a meaningful intervention rather than a symbolic gesture. He recalled the difficulties residents previously faced, having to travel to Ho or Tamale at great cost and inconvenience to access passport services.

The establishment of the Dambai centre, he said, brings relief, restores dignity and offers renewed hope to the people of the region, marking a significant improvement in access to essential government services.