The Ghana Passport Office has cautioned citizens to take good care of their biometric passports, warning that substances like anointing oil can damage the chip and make the document unreadable.
In a Facebook post on Friday, July 10, the Office paired spiritual encouragement with a practical warning. “Travel and see. Wake up and pray over your passport. By the end of this year, may it receive the visa you have been hoping for. But don’t use anointing oil on it. It will damage the chip,” the post read.
The Office explained that Ghana’s current passports contain electronic chips that store personal and biometric data. Exposure to liquids, oils, heat and chemicals can interfere with the chip and cause problems at immigration points.
Beyond the technical warning, the Passport Office encouraged Ghanaians to travel and gain global experience. “You cannot be a local champion forever. Travel and broaden your horizons before you turn 91 like GTV Ghana,” it stated.
The post also reminded travelers: “Don’t overstay your visa.”
Applicants were further directed to visit `passport.mfa.gov.gh` to apply for new passports or renew existing ones.
