NACOB cautions Gov’t over biometric passport

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), Mr. Yaw Akrasi-Sarpong has criticised government for what he describes as a rush on the part of the Foreign Affairs Ministry in issuing out the new biometric passports.

‘‘I think we are rushing too much with this biometric thing, we must be extremely careful and make sure it is done systematically’’ he cautioned.

According to him, foreigners could use the new biometric passport to commit international crimes which will eventually smear the image of the country.

Mr. Akrasi-Sarpong told Citi FM on Thursday April 29, that any negligence on the part of the Foreign Affairs Ministry in giving out the passport could give room for the passports to be abused by foreigners.

“Ghana would have no excuse to give if any foreign national acquires a Ghanaian biometric passport and engages in one criminal act or the other elsewhere.” He said

Mr. Sarpong’s comment follows reports of severe pressure on the passport office in Accra as people are in a hurry to acquire the new biometric passport.

Meanwhile some applicants who have been queuing for the new passport have accused officials of bribery and extortion. They claim attempts to acquire the biometric passport is being frustrated by corrupt officials who insist they are given bribes before processing the passports.

Even though the old booklet passport remains valid until 2015, it appears some people are anxious to acquire the biometric ones as fast as possible regardless of a caution by the Foreign Affairs Minister against the rush.

Some applicants who spoke to Citi News at the passport office have blamed the rush on the only passport office that was serving a huge number of people.

The issuance of the biometric passport became necessary to conform to International Civil Aviation (ICAO) Mandatory Standards and Recommended Practices.

source: citifmonline