The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana has cancelled 10 Service Passports that were allegedly obtained through an illicit arrangement involving a network of individuals operating within the country's passport administration system. The affected travel documents were issued between January 2023 and August 2026 to individuals who did not satisfy the statutory and administrative requirements for their acquisition.
Preliminary investigations have uncovered evidence suggesting that payments were made to facilitate the improper issuance of the passports. The Ministry confirmed that all 10 documents had been cancelled and that Ghana's international partners had been formally notified of their invalidation to prevent their continued use for international travel.
The investigation was initiated after the Ministry received two formal petitions on October 8, 2026. Subsequently, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa directed the establishment of an investigative committee on October 13 to examine the allegations, identify those responsible and establish the circumstances surrounding the suspected passport irregularities.
Among the officials facing administrative and investigative action are the Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana, and a junior Foreign Service Officer, Alhassan Sumani. Both officers have been interdicted and referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution.
The allegations further suggest that Alhassan Sumani, who entered the Foreign Service on November 29, 2024, featured prominently in all the petitions submitted in connection with the alleged arrangement. He has been identified by the petitioners as the suspected principal organiser of the operation and previously operated as a so-called "goro boy" in 2023.
The Ministry has also indicated that investigations will extend to retired Ambassador Mohammed Habib Idris, who occupied the position of Director of Passports in 2023, when some of the suspected irregularities reportedly occurred. Security agencies are expected to investigate his possible involvement, with appropriate sanctions to follow should evidence establish culpability.
The Ministry has rejected suggestions that Ghanaian Diplomatic Passports are being sold, maintaining that the allegations under investigation concern Service Passports and should not be confused with the separate category of travel documents issued for diplomatic purposes.
Key points
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revoked 10 Service Passports issued illegally and referred two officers to the police for further investigations.
- The suspected arrangement is believed to have existed before the assumption of office by the current administration.
- The Ministry has assured the public that the investigative process will adhere to transparency, impartiality and fairness.
