The government’s recent decision to raise passport fees has been defended by the majority in parliament.

The Majority Caucus claims that it is unfair to only assist the 20% of Ghanaians who need passports for travel by waiving the 400 Ghana Cedi passport fee.

There is a great deal of public disapproval following the announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the increase in passport fees, which will take effect on Monday, April 1.

The MP for Asante Akim North, Andy Appiah Kubi, claimed that the government’s action was appropriate while addressing reporters in Accra on Wednesday.

“We agree that it is only about 20% of Ghanaians that need passports to travel out of the country. And therefore, looking at it from that context, the passports then become a privilege, not a right or need. So, if it is a privilege, who should bear the cost of passports? To be honest with you, within the subregion, passports in Ghana are the cheapest and indeed it is incomparable with anywhere else.”

“The most immediate cost element is from Liberia, and they are charging GH499.50, which is the equivalent of $50 for passports that span for five years…Indeed, how fair will it be for only 20% of us to surcharge all of us, the 80% for what they want for their purpose of travelling? It is not fair,” he stated.