President Akufo-Addo Unveils Ghana’s Chip Embedded Passport in Accra.

Accra: President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday launched Ghana's chip embedded passport in a ceremony held in Accra. According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative marks a significant advancement in the country's effort to align with global standards for biometric identification. At the event, Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, presented the first copy of the chip embedded passport to the President. The project, initiated in 2016 under the Passports and Travel Certificates Act 1967 (NLCD 155), was executed through a Build, Operate, and Transfer arrangement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs collaborated with Biometric Travel Solutions Limited, a Ghanaian firm, to ensure that the new passports meet the International Civil Aviation Organization's regulations. President Akufo-Addo emphasized the significance of the e-Passport, stating that it is not just a travel document but a symbol of Ghana's p rogress and readiness to embrace the future. He highlighted the evolution of the Ghanaian passport, from handwritten to biometric, as a testament to the nation's commitment to global standards. The President noted the advanced biometric features embedded in the new passport, which enhance document security and protect national identity. He declared the new passport as virtually impervious to tampering or forgery, marking it as a crucial tool in curbing identity theft and fraudulent access. Ms. Ayorkor Botchwey underscored that the transition to the chip-embedded passport is a testament to the government's dedication to efficiency and security. She stated that the upgrade from the biometric passport, which served for over a decade, was necessary to meet the demands of rapid technological evolution. Mr. Tamás Fehér, Hungary's Ambassador to Ghana, remarked that the new passport signifies an elevation in the partnership between Ghana and Hungary. Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Adarkwa, from Biometric Travel Solutions Limited , expressed the company's pride in contributing to the project, ensuring the passport meets international standards.