The Director of Passports, Yahaya Amantana Mahama, says applicants paying GH¢350 for the standard passport service are receiving their documents within a week, despite an official processing timeline of 14 days.

Speaking in a one-on-one interview with Class 91.3 FM’s Elizabeth Aidoo, Mr Mahama attributed the faster delivery to improved efficiency at the Passport Office.

He said the office had introduced different processing options to accommodate applicants with varying financial capacities and levels of urgency.

“We have the 350, which we do under 14 days. It’s supposed to take two weeks,” he said.

He added that applicants paying GH¢700 for the expedited service could receive their passports within a maximum of four days.

“And then we also have the 700, which is done under five days,” he said.

According to Mr Mahama, the different options are intended to ensure that applicants can choose a service based on their circumstances rather than automatically opting for the most expensive package.

His comments come amid public concerns about the GH¢2,000 fee for the 24-hour passport service and calls for urgent passport processing to be more accessible to applicants who cannot afford the premium charge.

While the lower-cost options provide alternatives for applicants who need their passports relatively quickly, the timelines outlined by the Director do not provide a guaranteed 24-hour option at the lower fees.