Accra (Greater Accra) 18 Feb '99

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has started issuing "computer-readable" passports to the public. A release issued by the Ministry in Accra said the new passport has the same features as the one currently in use except that it has the country code built in to conform to international standards and usage. The processing fee for the new passport remains unchanged. The statement said those who have hand-written passports can continue to use them since they are still valid. It stressed that there is no need for anyone holding the old passport to apply for the new type.