E-passport to protect Ghanaians against identity theft and unauthorized access – Foreign Affairs Minister

Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has intimated that new chip-embedded passports will enable Ghanaians to be protected against identity theft, tampering of personal documents as well as unauthorised access to bio data.

Madam Ayorkor Botchwey who was speaking at the launch of the new chip-embedded passport at the Accra International Conference Centre on Monday, December 2 noted that it has come to replace the biometric passport as an upgrade.

She explained that the e-passport will shorten the turn-around time for passport issuance, while making travel safer, and more secure for all citizens.

“Transitioning from the use of the biometric passport to the historic chip-embedded passport is not merely an upgrade in technology. Rather, it is a manifestation of our sincere dedication to efficiency, security, and adherence to international standards.

“While the current biometric passport has served us steadfastly for over a decade, the demands of a fast-paced technological evolution have necessitated this upgrade. As the gateway to Africa, Ghana must remain at the forefront of growth and development by implementing novel technological developments in security documents taking into account new international standards, threats, and growth prospects.

“As you may know, the Government of Ghana has been working assiduously to make its digitization agenda, under the able leadership of the Vice President, a reality through various initiatives. The chip-embedded passport that we are launching today is a major milestone in this journey and boasts of several state-of-the-art features carefully designed to enhance its security and facilitate ease of travel for Ghanaian citizens,” the Foreign Affairs Minister explained.

The e-passport has a microprocessor that embeds the holder’s biometric and photo information, as well as other unique security features such as an anti-fraud measure, with both latent and patent indicators to ensure unimpeachable security, Ayorkor Botchwey intimated.

“By the introduction of the chip-embedded passport, Ghana is poised to be at the forefront of modern technology within the African sub-region, shortening the turn-around time for passport issuance, while making travel safer, and more secure for all citizens.

The introduction of the chip-embedded passport is also expected to eradicate unauthorised middlemen, otherwise known as ‘Goro Boys’ and will be fully operational before the end of the year.

“As part of this project, the Ministry has once again streamlined its passport application process to enhance efficiency and effectiveness at the PACs and our Missions abroad, while improving the overall passport application process for citizens through the design, development, and implementation of an integrated online passport application and delivery system, enhancement of operational procedures, the introduction of suitable technology, and provision of necessary infrastructure for the Passports Application Centres’ (“PACs”) operations. By this, we intend to minimize the exploitation and extortion of citizens and render “Goro” a thing of the past.

“I am confident that the introduction of this state-of-the-art chip-embedded passport positions us against identity theft, document tampering, and unauthorized access. The migration from the current biometric passports onto this new chip-embedded passport, which will be undertaken progressively, and is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year,” she added.

The post E-passport to protect Ghanaians against identity theft and unauthorized access – Foreign Affairs Minister first appeared on 3News.

Read Full Story