The Ghana Embassy in Rome is taking Consular Services to the door steps of Ghanaians in Italy. The exercise initiated by the new Ghana Ambassador to Italy, Her Excellency (Mrs.) Anita Evelyn Stokes-Hayford, would be carried out at weekends to meet applicants for passports and other related documents processed at the Embassy.
The first of the exercise at the Italian northern city Verona was a success, according to officials at the Consular Section of the Embassy.
A team of 3 officials made up of Asher Safo, Kobby Aidoo and Eugene Mensah Larbi carried a 2-day working service of receiving applications from Ghanaians in Verona and other neighbouring cities. According to Mr. Safo, who led the team, 115 applications were received – most of them applying for renewal of passports.
Giving briefs about what led to the exercise he said the Ambassador who made a familiarisation tour to meet some of the Ghanaians communities in Italy observed that they face challenges not just on the cost of the passport fee but also the cost of travelling to Rome to apply for the document. “Sometimes, people pay more on transportation to Rome than the document they are coming to apply for at the Embassy, “ he noted, adding the “the Ambassador then put in place this exercise of reaching Ghanaians at the cities they reside to cut some of the costs.”
On how the programme is to be carried out from one location to the other, the Consular Officer said the Embassy will map out each trip choosing one city which will be convenient for other Ghanaians in neighbouring areas with assistance from the local Ghanaians Association. “We will make sure we are back in Rome ready on Mondays to continue with the services to those who will come to the office,” he mentioned. Mr. Safo also pointed out new applicants for the Ghana passport are expected to provide evidence of a birth certificate, and in addition may be asked of a voters ID card or a Ghanaian driving licence as proof of their Ghanaian citizenship. Not only that the applicant is interviewed in one Ghanaian local language to ascertain more about his/her citizenship. “We are lucky to have officials who can speak more than one Ghanaian local language,” he added.
Speaking about processing of the applications, the Consular Officer explained they will start with the process when they get back to the office in Rome and the documents will be ready within the same week after which they will be sent to the respective applicants. He praised the comportment and discipline of Ghanaians who were in Verona for the first exercise.
– Reggie Tagoe
Source: GhanaWeb
