Ghana has shut down its Premium Passport Application Centers in Accra and Kumasi, according to a report by Travel and Tour World on Wednesday, redirecting all applicants to standard regional offices across the country. The Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration confirmed the development.

The closure, which took effect on February 20, 2026, was publicly announced three days later, on February 23, 2026. This move impacts both new applicants and those with pending applications at the now-defunct premium facilities. These premium centers were known for offering expedited processing and enhanced service conditions for applicants willing to pay higher fees, making them popular among business travelers and high-demand clients.

According to the Ministry, all applicants who selected the premium centers in Accra and Kumasi should continue their passport processing at their respective Regional Passport Application Centers. The Ministry stated that passport services remain operational across the country’s regional network and that applicants whose biometric data had already been captured will retain their records within the national passport system.

Ghanaian authorities have reiterated their commitment to efficient service delivery, advising affected individuals to track their application status through the official passport portal. Applicants with urgent travel needs were asked to contact the Passport Office Client Service Unit.

The closure aligns with Ghana’s ongoing Passport Reforms Programme, which aims to decentralize and digitize passport services. Recent measures under the initiative include a 24-hour expedited processing option at select centers and a nationwide doorstep passport delivery service. Standard application fees were also reduced by 30%.

By consolidating operations into the 16 regional passport offices, authorities are aiming to ease congestion in major cities while improving long-term efficiency. The reforms are intended to streamline passport processing and enhance accessibility for citizens across Ghana.

In Nigeria, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has also been modernizing passport services. Beginning November 1, 2024, NIS rolled out a phased contactless passport renewal system in Canada, which later expanded to the UK, USA, Italy, and Nigeria itself by December 2024.

These measures highlight a regional trend of digitization and centralization in passport services, aimed at improving speed, security, and accessibility. The NIS also announced that, effective August 1, 2025, all applications for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) are now fully online.

The system is part of Nigeria’s broader effort to digitize immigration services and improve service delivery. The steps taken by both Ghana and Nigeria reflect a regional push to modernize passport and immigration services, offering faster, more accessible, and more secure options for citizens and residents alike.