The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana has taken action against two of its officials over their alleged involvement in an illegal Service Passport issuance scheme. The Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana, and Alhassan Sumani, a Foreign Service Officer, have been interdicted and referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution. This move follows two petitions received by the Ministry pointing to the irregular issuance of Service Passports.
According to the Ministry's statement, Sumani was allegedly the chief architect of the scheme and had operated as a "goro boy" in 2023 before being recruited into the Foreign Service on November 29, 2024. The petitions claimed that individuals paid large sums of money to those involved in the scheme. One petitioner in 2023 claimed to have paid US$29,000, while another petitioner in 2026 stated that they paid US$5,000.
Preliminary findings by the Ministry indicated that persons who did not qualify for Service Passports were allegedly issued the documents since 2023 after making illegal payments to a syndicate. The Ministry listed ten individuals who allegedly received the passports illegally between January 2023 and August 2026. The passports have been cancelled and cannot be used, and international partners have been notified.
The Ministry assured that it is committed to transparency, impartiality, and accountability, and vowed to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice. Ambassador Mohammed Habib Idris, the Director of Passports for the 2023 period, who is now retired, will also be investigated by the security services and sanctioned if found culpable.
The alleged "Service Passport For Sale Scheme" was described as a sophisticated operation that predates the current administration. However, the Ministry clarified that no evidence has emerged that Ghana's Diplomatic Passports are being sold, stressing that the matters under investigation concern Service Passports and not Diplomatic Passports.
The Ministry highlighted recent reforms under the leadership of Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, including the introduction of ICAO-compliant chip-embedded passports, the establishment of Passport Application Centres in all 16 regions, 24-hour operations, and a reduction in the passport application fee from GH¢500 to GH¢350.
A recent Ghana Statistical Service survey declared Passport Administration as the most transformed and least corrupt public institution in Ghana. The Ministry emphasized its commitment to ensuring that the culprits are brought to justice and that the reforms will continue to improve the passport application process.
Key points
- Two officials interdicted over alleged passport fraud
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs committed to transparency and accountability
- Recent reforms introduced to improve passport application process
Reporting sources
- Foreign Affairs Ministry interdicts 2 officers over alleged... · Daily Graphic
