UK..Ghana Passport Issues

Currently the Ghana Embassy in London, Passport and visa applications are done on line.

That's fantastic..all was fine until late last year The Passport section officially announced they have a back log due to increase in demand (all holiday times are peak times).

However, things got to boiling point around December 2915, folks who have planned well in advance for pps got stranded, the passport office have come to grinding halt...!!

Persistent enquiries were met with automated answer machines. Eventually they put up a lame excuse that their printing machines have broken down!..
Its a hollow statement and misleading..

The actual printing of the bulk the pp is contracted out. There is no printing press at Archway..!! Printing presses are very noisy operations and archway is essentially affluent residential area.

Only visa stickers are done on the premises.

Ears on the ground and sources started revealing the true state of affairs.. The British Home Office specifically conducted investigations on multiple identities.

Basically folks who have been declined on various regularization applications have been able to secure new passports under different monikers..and reapply (criminal offence - if proven instant deportation) this has been easy to detect cos bio-metrics aslo records your eyes which acts the same as finger prints.!!

The real trouble is Nigerians, Congolese and as you might have read elsewhere criminals are all on the act!! The home office is practically supervising the issue of Ghana Passports on the grounds of security breaches!! Everything is scrutinized ten times
As this is a clear diplomatic issue all has been kept under wraps and innocent Ghanaians have been caught in the malfeasance going on. Most old staff have been reassigned.. Can't get hold of old contacts but the persistent delays have spawned travel agents who have hiked their fees for express service..400 pds flat..!!

The home office forced temporary embargo on issuing of lost passports and the delays caused mayhem..

Archway is now a fortress..heavy gates..permanently manned by security officers. In the good times pp could be issued in 48 or 72 hrs or standard two weeks, you pay a little premium for express services and if had a "friend" just hand in your application at church and pick up on Tuesday..
I can testify cos in previous times I have signed pp applications for church members in church, from pastors to toddlers as long as I know them. Any problems, a phone call to Mr Oweridus office was good to resolve any delays
Now .. As at yesterday 17th March 2016; none of these options are available.. You just have to wait and wait..if its a lost passport just forget it for now..you will have to produce your original birth cert or have copious background data to prove your id.

Its only yesterday that the severity of this problem became all too clear. I emailed a ticket to a gentleman going for funeral this week. He applied for pp over a month ago. When nothing has been done, as of this Monday, I said best thing to do, go to Archway and show your ticket.. You will travelling this Sunday!!
Long and short.."pp can't be issued due to some technical problems..as this is an emergency we will give you TC!!!
To get the TC, you have to get to the Ghana mission in Victoria pronto, to get approval and signed off..extra cost. Original application still stuck in Archway..

Well this is an elderly retired gentleman of fine community standing. Reduced to pleading with youngsters half his age, met with frowns and closed doors..extra taxi cost to and from Victoria for a mere TC..which in strictest terms is for one way travel...meant for deportees, drug convicts and criminals in prison facing eviction!!..
How did mere administrative set up turn into an arena of frustrations... Because someone has got a little backhand cola to chew, the rest must wait in vain!!

How else can an Indian man be handling Ghana pp as an accredited agent of the visa section!!

Consolation's..You can get the pp issued much quickly in Accra..just give them cola..!!