Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has defended her decision to discipline several passport employees.
For assisting intermediaries (Goro guys) to charge between GHS2000 and GHS3000 for passports, she fired the policemen.
This is true despite the fact that getting a passport normally costs GHS100, and getting one quickly costs GHS150 cedis.
She pointed out that, according to media reports, the problem of “Goro boys” in the passport application procedure has grown widespread.
On Monday, August 14, she set out on an unplanned trip to the passport office in Accra.
“This particular visit has become very necessary because of some reports that I have,” she told the reporters after the visit. reports that police officers are engaged in criminal activity.
“When I say illegal activities we all know. Just two days ago the reports in the Daily Guide newspaper that the issue of goro people involved in our passport acquisition process has become rife.
“It is wrong. How can One Hundred Ghana Cedis for standard service to acquire a passport and One Hundred and Fifty Cedis for expedited service be bumped up to GHS2000 and GHS3000, it is wrong.
“The goro boys are outside the passport office, they need somebody inside to work with, they cannot do it on their own. People are paying GHS2000, or GHS3000 to acquire a passport? Why should this be so?”
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey also demands the dismissal of all employed security personnel working at the Accra Passport Office.
According to Madam Botchwey, the staff members have overstayed their duration at the passport office.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey says it’s unacceptable for Ghanaians to pay more than GH3000 to obtain a passport in an interview with journalists during a surprise visit to the passport office.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com