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Tag: Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong

  • We will not reduce increased fees for passport application – Deputy Foreign Minister tells Ghanaians

    We will not reduce increased fees for passport application – Deputy Foreign Minister tells Ghanaians

    Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong has affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration will not reconsider the recently adjusted passport fees.

    The fee adjustment, which took effect on April 1, raised fees for passport applications from GH¢100 to GH¢500 for the 32-page booklet and to GH¢644 for the 48-page booklet under the standard service.

    In response to public outcry over the new prices, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, has suggested that the fees be reviewed, as they add to the already burdensome expenses for Ghanaians.

    Amidst Ablakwa’s pledge to demand a review of the fees upon the resumption of Parliament, Ampratwum-Sarpong maintains the Ministry’s stance, asserting that the revised fees are not up for reconsideration.

    “It is a matter we will revisit. We will summon the Ministers and officials from the Ministry to see what can be done because this is really terrible. It is going to add on to the already excruciating hardship and anguish that Ghanaians are going through,” he said.

    “If he wants us to come to the committee, we will respect the committee, we will appear before the committee, we will repeat the reasons behind the request and the approval given by parliament for the passport fees,” he said in an April 3 interview with JoyNews.

    He described Mr Ablakwa’s call for a reduction as “noise”, indicating that his concerns will not be regarded.

    “These figures with the support of the majority of Ghanaians have come to stay. There is nothing he can do about it. He can make his noise out there. If he wants to bring it to the committee, to Parliament, we will meet him on the floor of Parliament. We will discuss it, we will debate it, and at the end of the day, he will fall flat on his face,” the deputy minister stressed.

    He defended the fee hike, stating that the increased charges are essential for generating revenue to enhance service delivery at passport offices nationwide.

    “We would have money to be able to invest to buy the equipment, the printers, and whatever other stuff that we need to be able to give excellent service.

    “With the cash revenue flow, it will become possible for us to approach the suppliers of this equipment and materials and whatever that we need in our work.

    “So once we get more computers, once we get more laminating machines, once we get more capturing machines, we will be able to capture more biometrics and therefore the six months, seven months, or eight months appointment days would be reduced.

    “At the moment, it is out of control because we don’t have the capturing machines. We do have some but it is not enough,” he added.

  • Your noise wouldn’t change new passport fees, it is here to stay – Dept Foreign Affairs Minister to Ablakwa

    Your noise wouldn’t change new passport fees, it is here to stay – Dept Foreign Affairs Minister to Ablakwa

    Despite facing criticism from the Ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong remains steadfast in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration’s decision not to reconsider the recently adjusted passport fees.

    In response to Ablakwa’s intention to push for a review of the fees upon the resumption of Parliament, Ampratwum-Sarpong reiterates the Ministry’s position, affirming that the revised fees will remain unchanged.

    “If he wants us to come to the committee, we will respect the committee, we will appear before the committee, we will repeat the reasons behind the request and the approval given by parliament for the passport fees,” he said in an April 3 interview with Joynews.

    “These figures with the support of the majority of Ghanaians have come to stay. There is nothing he can do about it. He can make his noise out there. If he wants to bring it to the committee, to Parliament, we will meet him on the floor of Parliament. We will discuss it, we will debate it, and at the end of the day, he will fall flat on his face,” the deputy minister stressed.

    He defended the fee hike, stating that the increased charges are essential for generating revenue to enhance service delivery at passport offices nationwide.

    “We would have money to be able to invest to buy the equipment, the printers, and whatever other stuff that we need to be able to give excellent service.

    “With the cash revenue flow, it will become possible for us to approach the suppliers of this equipment and materials and whatever that we need in our work.

    “So once we get more computers, once we get more laminating machines, once we get more capturing machines, we will be able to capture more biometrics and therefore the six months, seven months, or eight months appointment days would be reduced.

    “At the moment, it is out of control because we don’t have the capturing machines. We do have some but it is not enough,” he added.

    Starting from April 1, there has been an increase in passport application fees, with the cost rising from GH¢100 to ¢500 for the 32-page booklet and to ¢644 for the 48-page booklet under the standard service.

    In response to public discontent regarding the heightened prices, Samuel Okudzeto, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has proposed a review of the fees. He argues that these elevated costs only exacerbate the already heavy financial burdens faced by Ghanaians.

    “It is a matter we will revisit. We will summon the Ministers and officials from the Ministry to see what can be done because this is really terrible. It is going to add on to the already excruciating hardship and anguish that Ghanaians are going through,” he said.

  • Foreign Affairs Ministry receives equipment from Korea

    Foreign Affairs Ministry receives equipment from Korea

    The Korea government has generously donated Information Technology (IT) equipment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in preparation for the 2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference, scheduled to be held in Ghana in December.

    The equipment, consisting of 20 laptops, 20 printers, and headphones, was received at the ministry’s headquarters in Accra.

    This donation is the first batch of a $1 million worth of IT products and vehicles pledged by the Korea government to support the organization of the conference.

    Ghana has been selected as the host country for the upcoming conference, making it the first African nation to hold this prestigious event.

    The conference aims to strengthen peacekeeping operations and their positive impact on communities, with participation expected from UN member states.

    Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Lim Jung-Taek, emphasized his country’s strong support for UN peacekeeping missions and acknowledged Ghana’s significant role and contributions to these operations.

    Hence, the Korean government deemed it appropriate to provide support in the form of IT equipment and vehicles.

    The ambassador assured that more support, including 12 protocol vehicles and 10 vans, is on its way to Ghana.

    Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, expressed gratitude for Korea’s prompt and valuable partnership in providing logistical support for the conference.

    He highlighted the potential logistical challenges and welcomed the assurance of support from Korea and other partners, showcasing the strong friendship between the two nations.

  • PAC criticises Foreign Affairs ministry for spending $2.8m on rent

    PAC criticises Foreign Affairs ministry for spending $2.8m on rent

    The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has faulted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for spending $2.8 million and €1.79 million for the payment of rent for home-based staff of 21 missions.

    The Auditor General in its 2020 report described the payment of these rents as uneconomic and recommended the use of mortgage systems to curtail the situation.

    But appearing before the committee, the Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, said the proposed mortgage system of accommodation for missions has been a challenge.

    He said the government’s policy is to acquire properties for all its missions abroad but securing finance has been a major challenge to the Ministry.

    “The government’s policy is to acquire properties for the missions, residency and chancery but the reality on the ground is that it is not easy for Foreign Missions to get mortgages in these foreign countries. So far we haven’t succeeded. We are exploring a whole range of avenues to try and raise the needed funds.

    “We have made some progress, and we are hopeful that we will get there.”

    The Committee also raised concerns about the Ministry’s payment of GH₵7.9 million for a project which cost GH₵1.4 million to start in 2007.

    The project according to the Ministry was abandoned by the contractor in 2008 but had the contract reviewed in 2017 to GH₵7.9 million despite the initial payment of about 90 percent of the amount.