Coronavirus: Passport office turns away non emergency applicants

News Desk Report Mar - 17 - 2020 , 10:41

The passport office in Accra on Tuesday started turning away non emergency applicants following the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic where seven cases have been confirmed in Ghana.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday, March 15, 2020 announced a number of measures to help avert the spread of the disease which includes a ban on mass gathering.

Some passport applicants on Tuesday morning massed up outside the building of the passport office in Accra.

Some disgruntled applicants said they were not informed they will be turned away on Tuesday.

One of the stranded applicants told Graphic Online's Kweku Zurek that because of the online application, the passport office was no longer handling manual applications, hence persons who have not been called were being turned away.

However, he said it was later announced that the office has been closed.

Emergency

Later in a flyer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration explained that in keeping to measures to prevent a spread of the disease it has instituted temporary measures with the acquisition of passports.

“Please note that only passport applicants with PROOF of EMERGENCY will be attended to for the next 4 weeks at all passport centres across the country beginning Tuesday March 17, 2020. Help to protect all of us from COVID-19. Be safe,” the Ministry said.