To the Ghana Ambassador - Rome

Dear Sir, 19/07/05

PETITION TO REPEAL THE HIKES ON PASSPORT SERVICE CHARGES

There is hue and cry on the lips of every resident Ghanaian in Italy concerning your unilateral decision to raise the service charge on missing passport from two hundred euro (?200) to five hundred (?500) and new Ghanaian passport from 115 euro to 200 euro without any tangible reason. Despite all efforts on the part of various Ghanaian community leaders to seek dialogue with you, the consular continue traveling length and breath of Italy issuing passports to the poor Ghanaians who desperately need these passports to regularize their stay at such prices. Embassies all over the world have the aim of defending the interest of their countries and to assist their people in the Diaspora, and I believe the Ghana embassy in Italy is no exception. These are examples of processing fees in our other Ghanaian missions overseas, England 69 pounds (115 euro ) Germany: 115 euro, Spain: 115 euro, United States 115 dollars. A few examples of Processing fees of our West African neighbours; Senegal, 30 euro: Ivory Coast 120 euro and 30 ? 60 euro for subsequent renewals after every four years. Ghanaians in Italy are saying that this is an official extortion. We reject this official extortion vehemently and we are determined to send ripples throughout the Ghanaian institutions and the media until something is done in Rome. We believe other associations will soon join us in defending our course. We are waiting earnestly to hear what decisions you have taken on this matter before we decide on what line of action to take Yours faithfully, Fiifi

Yamoah

The President

G N A---REGGIO EMILIA

Copies to: Office of the President.

Ghanaian Associations in Italy.

Ministry of foreign affairs.

The Ghanaian Media