Accra (Greater Accra) 5 Feb. '99

The computerisation of the Passport Office will be completed this year to ensure the provision of efficient consular services within and outside the country, The Minister of Finance, Mr Kwame Peprah, said in Accra, today. This will give that office the capacity of issuing about 1,000 passports a day, he said in his Budget to Parliament. The Ministry will also design new personal data forms for distribution to all Ghanaians overseas for completion to enable the government update records of Ghanaians overseas and facilitate the provision of prompt consular service to Ghanaians abroad, especially during emergencies. Mr Peprah said 207.2 billion cedis has been made available to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to achieve its objectives in the medium term. For 1999, the amount will be 85 billion, while 85.3 billion has been programmed for 2000 and 86.9 billion cedis for 2001. The Minister said government will continue to pursue a foreign policy that will foster good neighbourliness and closer relations with other countries. In the light of this, the foreign ministry proposes to hold a meeting in Accra involving Ghana's heads of missions to exchange views on the direction of the country's foreign policy in the next millennium. Mr Peprah said to upgrade the Ministry's human and institutional capacity for the efficient execution of the country's foreign policy objectives, government has authorised the training of 200 officers from the Ministry in diplomatic skills. The government also intends to re-stock the Ministry's library and install modern information facilities. The Minister said one billion cedis has been allocated this year towards the provision of permanent accommodation for the Legon Centre for International Affairs. He said the ministry will collaborate with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to expand its data base on trade, investment and tourism. It intends to provide data on export, investment and technological opportunities abroad to private sector organisations on a quarterly basis.