The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana has interdicted two officers over an alleged scheme to issue Service Passports to unqualified individuals in exchange for money. The officers, Acting Director of Passports Mahama Yahaya Amantana and junior Foreign Service Officer Alhassan Sumani, have been referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution. This follows two petitions received by the Ministry, prompting the establishment of a committee to investigate the claims.
According to the Ministry, the first petitioner claimed to have paid $29,000 in 2023, while the second alleged that they paid $5,000 in 2026 to individuals involved in the scheme. Preliminary findings by the committee confirmed that 10 individuals who did not qualify for Service Passports were issued the documents between January 2023 and August 2026 after making illegal payments to a syndicate. The beneficiaries were named as Richard Sakyi Apenteng, Augustina Agyei Boateng, Juliet Amankwa, Rebecca Agyeiwaa, Prince Ahensah, Maybel Ahensah, Twumasi Francis Kwame, Gyabaah Anthony, Frederick Ennin, and Bosompem Richard.
The alleged scheme had been operating since 2023, with Sumani, a key figure in the petitions, acting as a middleman before joining the Foreign Service on November 29, 2024. The Ministry stated that it is committed to improving passport administration in the country, citing reforms introduced under the government of President John Dramani Mahama. These reforms include the introduction of chip-embedded passports that meet international standards and the establishment of Passport Application Centres in all 16 regions.
The Ministry also highlighted other reforms, such as 24-hour operations, free courier delivery, and an electronic tracking system. The passport application fee has been reduced from GH¢500 to GH¢350 to make the document more affordable. These reforms aim to improve the security, efficiency, accessibility, and integrity of Ghana's passport administration system.
The interdiction of the two officers and the subsequent investigations demonstrate the Ministry's commitment to tackling corruption and ensuring that passports are issued to qualified individuals through legitimate channels. The Ministry's statement did not provide further details on the investigations or the potential consequences for the officers involved.
The case has raised concerns about the potential for corruption and abuse of power within the Ministry. The Ministry's efforts to improve passport administration and reduce corruption are crucial in maintaining the integrity of Ghana's passport system. The public's response to the allegations and the Ministry's actions will be closely watched.
The Ministry's actions are a step towards addressing the issues of corruption and ensuring that passports are issued to qualified individuals through legitimate channels. The investigations will continue, and the Ministry will likely provide updates on the progress of the case.
Key points
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has interdicted two officers over an alleged scheme to issue Service Passports to unqualified individuals in exchange for money.
- Preliminary findings confirmed that 10 individuals who did not qualify for Service Passports were issued the documents between January 2023 and August 2026.
- The Ministry has introduced reforms to improve passport administration, including chip-embedded passports and reduced application fees.
