If you’ve ever gone through the process of acquiring a Ghanaian passport, you’ll have a story to share. Although necessary, the process has been known to put even the most calm persons’ patience and resilience to the strain.
Let’s look into the complexities of acquiring this crucial travel document, as well as the shared experiences of individuals who have successfully traversed its bureaucratic maze.
The Online Application
In recent years, the Ghanaian government has made significant progress in digitizing passport services. Applicants can now start the process online, which potentially simplifies the process.
However, reality frequently diverges from this ideal. The standard online application takes around a month, whereas the expedited service guarantees delivery within two weeks. However, be prepared for some twists and turns along the way.
The Long Queues
Queuing—a word that scares many passport applicants. Consider this: you come to the processing centre between 6:00 and 8:30 a.m., wanting to submit your application. The queue extends like a meandering river.
You sit there, shuffling from foot to foot, wondering if your patience will survive long enough to go through the line. The clock ticks, and your optimism fades. You never completely understand the gravity of a situation until you have lived it first-hand.
Biometrics
After you submit your application, the true adventure begins. You will have your biometric data captured at a Passport Application Center (PAC), which are located in various cities. Smiling for the camera, you’ll wonder if your expression matches the passport shot.
Collecting Your Passport: A Stressful Epilogue
Congratulations! After navigating the official paths, you’ve got the anticipated call: “Your passport is ready for collection.” Don’t let your guard down just yet. The concluding chapter of this story—passport collection—can be as nerve-racking as the first application.
You come to the Passport Application Center (PAC) with your heart beating. The queue, although shorter than the first submission line, still wraps around the building.
You hold your collection slip, a delicate ticket to gain your passport. The sun beats down, and the air is filled with expectancy. You aren’t alone; other passport applicants exchange knowing glances. The collective sighs echo the question, “Will it be today?”
It gets to your turn, and you are being told the passport isn’t ready, so check back in few weeks time, you return in few weeks time and same old story. The next option you might have left is to sort them out.
Many stories have been heard about the collection of the Ghana passport from the various centres, which is indeed saddening and appalling to hear. Have you had any experience like this in acquiring a Ghanaian passport? Please do share with us.
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