The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway on August 15, 2023, dismissed overstaying officers and agency representatives at various passport offices in the Greater Accra Region.

Speaking during a media briefing, she explained that the decision would take effect from August 21, 2023, as part of efforts to bring about much-needed reforms to the passport application centers.

She highlighted what she referred to as the disturbing trend of overstaying officers purportedly colluding with unauthorized intermediaries, commonly referred to as "goro people," to exploit applicants by charging exorbitant fees for expedited passport services.

“First of all, let me say that this is not the first time I have come to the Passport Office. I have done an unannounced tour of the two passport application centres, but for me, this particular visit has become necessary because of some reports that I have.

"Reports that officers - and there are nine or so agencies represented in any passport application centre… these people are involved in illegal activities and when I say illegal activities, we know just two days ago, the report in Daily Guide that the issue of goro people involved in our passport acquisition process has become rife. It is wrong", she explained.

Read the full story as first published on GhanaWeb on Monday, August 14, 2023, below:

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has dismissed overstaying officers and agency representatives at various passport offices in the Greater Accra region

During a press briefing on August 14, 2023, the minister explained that the decision would take effect from August 21, 2023, as part of efforts to bring about much-needed reforms to the passport application centers.

She expressed concern over what she described as the disturbing trend of overstaying officers purportedly colluding with unauthorized intermediaries, commonly referred to as "goro people," to exploit applicants by charging exorbitant fees for expedited passport services.

"Reports that officers and there are nine or so agencies represented in any passport application centre…these people are involved in illegal activities and when I say illegal activities we know just two days ago the report in Daily Guide that the issue of goro people involved in our passport acquisition process has become rife, it is wrong.

The angry minister added, “Listen, this is not something new, we have always said that no agency should keep their staff here for more than a year, and yet this is overlooked sometimes and so I intend to ensure that this is carried out.

“Anybody who has been here for more than a year from Monday, please do not come back because you have been changed, we want to bring some sanity, every time politicians are corrupt, meanwhile, it is some public civil servants who will do things that shouldn't be done and they put it on politicians", he stated further

JKB/AE

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