<<Print>>

The Passport Office says it is not to blame for the reported shortage of passport forms in the accredited banks across the country. Citi News’ checks last week confirmed the shortage which has lasted for over a month.

The situation forced the frustrated applicants to troop to the passport office for answers. But speaking to Citi News, the Director of Passports, Alexander Grant, said all inquiries on the supply of passport forms should be directed to the Controller and Accountant General’s Department, because his outfit does not deal with the supply of forms to the banks.

“It is the Controller and Accountant General’s department that buys and supplies the banks with the forms. We don’t sell the forms, it is the Controller and Accountant General’s Department that is responsible for that ….”

Explanation While officials of many of the banks have not been able explain the shortage of forms, a customer representative at the National Investment Bank (NIB) outlet on the Spintex Road, earlier told the Daily Graphic that the bank had been instructed not to sell the forms, because it was awaiting an announcement of new prices.

No increase in passport forms The Controller and Accountant General, Ms Grace Francisca Adzroe, also denied any imminent increase in the price of the forms. Ms Adzroe said the passport processing forms were still being sold at GHc50, adding that, “we have no intention to increase the cost now.”

She said the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) currently has about 135,000 of the forms in stock for sale to the commercial banks at GHc2, from the previous GHc1.45 they paid from 2010 to 2015. “We only increased the chest price to GHc2 for the banks as a result of the high cost of production. So when they sell at GHc50, they withhold the GHc2 as their cost recovery and pay GHc48 to government coffers,” she explained.