The Minority in Ghana's Parliament is calling for a parliamentary investigation into an alleged passport-for-sale scheme involving officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Passport Office. About 300 Ghanaians are suspected to have obtained special passports to travel abroad through this scheme. The Minority plans to file a motion on Monday, November 9, seeking the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to probe the alleged irregular issuance and sale of Diplomatic and Service Passports.
According to the Minority, some officials within the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Passport Office facilitated the acquisition of travel documents for paying customers, particularly those seeking to travel to Europe without going through the normal visa application process. An alleged manager of the operation in Ghana and an agent based in Europe were identified as intermediaries who helped applicants secure the passports. The Minority alleged that some applicants were assigned official designations and positions they did not occupy.
The Minority further alleged that some Ministry officials assisted beneficiaries through airport procedures to avoid or reduce scrutiny by immigration authorities. Information gathered from its sources suggested that approximately 300 Ghanaians may have traveled to Europe and other destinations using the passports allegedly obtained through the arrangement. The Minority displayed copies of letters purportedly approving applications for special passports, redacted passport biodata pages, bank deposit slips, and mobile money transaction records.
The Minority cited letters in which an individual, Amoh Boadi, was allegedly assigned different official positions within two separate public institutions within days of each other. Other purported designations involved institutions including the GTVET Service, Fisheries Commission, and the National Disaster Management Organisation. The Minority wants the proposed committee to investigate the issuance of Diplomatic and Service Passports from January 7, 2025.
The proposed inquiry will seek access to passport applications, recommendations, approval letters, payment records, correspondence, and electronic communications connected to the alleged transactions. The Minority also wants the Foreign Affairs Minister, the Ministry's Chief Director, the interdicted Director of Passports, the alleged agents, relevant passport and immigration officers, as well as beneficiaries of the passports to be invited. The Minority argued that an internal investigation by the Ministry would not be sufficient to address the allegations.
The demand comes after the Foreign Affairs Ministry announced investigations into allegations of irregular issuance of Service Passports, including the cancellation of 10 such documents and the interdiction of two officers. The Minority insists that the alleged scale of the scheme warrants a broader parliamentary inquiry beyond the cases so far acknowledged by the Ministry. The Minority cautioned against treating the allegations as proof of guilt.
The proposed investigation will provide an opportunity for the claims to be tested and the individuals involved to respond. The Minority's demand for a parliamentary probe highlights concerns about the potential misuse of diplomatic and service passports and the need for parliamentary oversight. Key points include allegations of a passport-for-sale scheme involving 300 travelers and the demand for a parliamentary investigation into the alleged irregular issuance of Diplomatic and Service Passports.
Key points
- Allegations of a passport-for-sale scheme involving 300 travelers
- Demand for parliamentary investigation into irregular issuance of Diplomatic and Service Passports
- Proposed investigation to cover issuance of passports from January 7, 2025.
