The Ministry of Foreign Affairs first launched ePassport labelled as CHIP-EMBEDDED PASSPORT on 2 December 2024.
The Ministry on Monday, 28 April 2025 again launched ePassport in Ghana and issued its first ePassport to Julius Debrah, Ghana’s Chief of Staff.
The reason for the introduction of these e-Passports is to comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) regulation of modernizing traveling identity system.
Here are 10 things you need to know about these “CHIP EMBEDDED PASSPORT”.
1. They are internationally called ePassport. A shortened version of Electronic Passport.
2. This is an upgrade from basic biometric to chip-embedded passports which will improve security.
3. Over 140 states and non-state entities (e.g. United Nations, European Union) currently issuing ePassport.
4. There are over 1 billion ePassport in circulation.
5. It adds a layer of security to traditional non-electronic passports by embedding an electronic chip in the passport booklet that stores biographical information visible on page 2 of the current passport.
6. To validate an ePassport at an international border, the border control system retrieves the Document Security Objects from the chip.
7. The chip will have data of 30 international trips.
8. One can continue to use their biometric passport and replace them with ePassport any time before 2030.
9. The ePassport will be valid for 5 to 10 years based on age. e.g. Children under 16 will be issued 5 years passport.
10. According to Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, these ePassport will make passport acquisition process faster. It will enable one to acquire a passport in 15 days. Also, passport acquisition fee has been reduced by 30%.
According to ICAO, these e-Passports are essential because they:
• protects privacy.
• makes it difficult for documents to be altered.
• will ensure quick verification of a traveller’s data.
Sources:
MFA-Master, Ghana Launches New Chip-Embedded Passport: A Major Leap in Global Connectivity. News. December 5, 2024.
United States of America, Homeland Security, e-Passports. January 6, 2023.
International Civil Aviation Organization, ePassport basics. https://www.icao.int/Security/FAL/PKD/Pages/ePassport-Basics.aspx
Myjoyonline, Ghana rolls out chip-embedded passports with 30% fee reduction. April 28, 2025.
