Accra, Aug. 18, GNA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD, on Monday said it was employing more stringent scrutiny of all applications for passport to stop the abuse of the Ghanaian passport.

It said due to a number of challenges, including the abuse of Ghanaian passports by foreigners, multiple acquisition and activities of "passport contractors", the Ministry had been compelled to take these measures aimed at ensuring the security and integrity of Ghanaian travel documents.

A statement signed by Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD, said as a result of the measures the Passport Office was operating at a slower pace than usual, since officers had to painstakingly verify and authenticate all details before the applications were approved.

It said the consequent slowdown of passport issuance had been misinterpreted as passport shortage by a section of the public. The ministry further informed the public that the current modus operandi was necessary to ensure that the Ghanaian passport was respected wherever they were presented.

"In this regard, the public is hereby assured that the Passport Office stands ready to deliver on all genuine applications submitted for processing (quickly)."

The statement advised the public to be wary of "passport contractors" who created an artificial environment of shortage in order to exploit unsuspecting applicants.

It said as much as possible, applicants were strongly advised to deal directly with the Passport Office through proper channels, for example, through the Regional Immigration Offices.

The statement cautioned the public to desist from multiple applications, since it was an offence punishable by law.

Persons holding more than one valid passport are advised in their own interest to surrender the extra passport to the Passport Office for cancellation.