Thanks for your response.Hi there. It can take different lengths of times, I'm not sure that it is consistent. I would try calling AVO and emailing them to let them know your predicament. That might help speed things up. I know others have been in a similar situation when their work permit somewhere was going to expire, etc, and contacting AVO to give them a heads up that they needed their passport back helped.
I have sent emails to accra.immigration@cic.gc.ca but not response. Is there a phone number I can call? The VFS lady said she can't help.