The Passport Head Office at Ridge in Accra has been temporarily shut down following a reported attack by a group of aggrieved Zongo youth demanding the immediate release of their passports ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage.
The incident occurred on the night of Friday, May 9, when a group of young men reportedly stormed the premises, insisting that their passports be issued without delay.
According to sources, the situation quickly escalated when attempts by officials to explain the ongoing processing procedures failed to calm the crowd.
“No explanation to the angry mob was satisfactory to them,” a source said.
As tensions heightened, the Director of Passports and a foreign consultant—brought in to expedite passport processing for Hajj pilgrims—were forced to flee for their safety.
This development comes in the wake of a recent initiative launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to introduce a 24-hour passport service, aimed at reducing the processing time to 15 days and clearing existing backlogs.
The initiative also included a shift system that allows staff to work around the clock, as well as a new courier delivery option to enhance service delivery.
However, the Ridge office at around 1:54 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, operations appeared to be at a standstill.
Only one plainclothes security officer was stationed at the gate, while two foreign nationals were seen exiting the building.
Sources say security on the night of the incident was inadequate, with just two police officers on duty, who were reportedly overwhelmed by the crowd.
“They were overwhelmed by the numbers. There were over 20 well-built men who came on motorbikes,” a witness revealed.
It is unclear when passport services at the Ridge Head Office will resume, as an official police complaint had not been filed at the time of reporting.
