Gbarnga, Bong County –The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Monday, July 21, 2025, officially launched a new passport office in Gbarnga, marking a significant stride in enhancing governmental service accessibility for Liberians.
This initiative comes as part of a broader strategy to decentralize government services, particularly in the realm of passport issuance, which has previously required many citizens to travel long distances to Monrovia.
Giving an overview of the process, Deputy Foreign Minister Cllr. Dewey E. Gray outlined the objectives of this new facility during the launch, emphasizing its role in serving residents from Bong, Lofa, and Nimba counties. Alongside another passport center dedicated in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh, which will cater to communities in River Gee, Sinoe, Grand Kru, and Maryland counties, the government aims to alleviate the logistical burden faced by those seeking essential identification documents. This initiative, according to Gray, is designed particularly for the convenience of businesspeople, enabling easier access to passports for cross-border activities.
In a special statement, President Joseph Boakai highlighted the importance of this move as part of a collective effort to improve the country.
He underscored the necessity of providing better services to meet the needs of ordinary Liberians, particularly farmers, students, and business owners battling hardships due to the challenges posed by accessing centralized services. The Liberian President reasserted his commitment to systematic changes that improve transportation and infrastructure, which have long hampered service accessibility.
President Boakai acknowledged the struggles faced by citizens who must overcome poor connectivity, which has direct implications on vital sectors such as health, education, and economic development.
He pledged to work towards resolving these longstanding infrastructure challenges, ensuring that all citizens can benefit from improved access to government services.
Both the Deputy Minister and the President expressed gratitude for the local support that has made this initiative possible, calling upon citizens to engage with the new services actively.
Detailing the application process, Liberia’s Passport Director, Paul Ngafuan, said the new passport centers are designed as a “one-stop shop” to facilitate the passport application process for citizens. He noted that applicants are required to bring their birth certificates, national ID, and follow the guidance provided by trained local staff who can assist in the process, even for individuals who may not speak English fluently.
Director Ngafuan further stated that the centers aim to ensure secure processing and only serve Liberian citizens.
“Passport printing will occur in Monrovia, where applications will be reviewed for security and accuracy. Citizens can expect two types of services: expedited and regular, with the latter taking about two weeks for processing,” Ngafuan stated, emphasizing that the initiative emphasizes accountability and community benefit, also encouraging citizens to cooperate fully in using the service for their needs.
Additionally, Director Ngafuan, on behalf of the Foreign Ministry, assured applicants that their payments will be monitored through text confirmation, reinforcing transparency.
