The Minority in Parliament has alleged that about 300 Ghanaians traveled to Europe and other destinations using Diplomatic and Service Passports they acquired through a fraudulent scheme. The scheme allegedly involved intermediaries and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who allowed paying applicants to obtain special passports by being assigned official positions and designations they did not hold.
The Minority named Ibrahim Wallee, allegedly operating as the manager of the arrangement in Ghana, and Bright Yeboah Owusu, an agent based in Europe, as individuals who connected applicants to the scheme. Applicants allegedly paid money to secure the passports, with some being given official titles in public institutions to support their applications. The Minority cited examples of letters purportedly issued through the Foreign Affairs Ministry, including two letters in which an individual identified as Amoh Boadi was assigned different positions within three days.
The alleged designations involved various public institutions, including the GTVET Service, Fisheries Commission, and the National Disaster Management Organisation. The Minority further alleged that some officials within the Ministry helped beneficiaries navigate airport procedures, making it easier for them to travel without attracting the usual immigration scrutiny. The Minority estimated that approximately 300 Ghanaians had traveled abroad using the special passports allegedly obtained through the arrangement.
To support its claims, the Minority presented copies of letters, redacted passport biodata pages, GCB deposit receipts, and mobile money transaction records, which it said showed payments made in connection with the acquisition of the documents. The Minority argued that the alleged scheme was particularly concerning because Service and Diplomatic Passports offer holders access to several countries without the usual visa requirements.
The allegations come amid an ongoing controversy over the issuance of special passports, following a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming investigations into the alleged irregular issuance of Service Passports. The Ministry disclosed that 10 Service Passports had been cancelled and two officers, including the Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana, and a junior Foreign Service Officer, Alhassan Sumani, had been interdicted and referred to the police.
However, the Ministry's statement focused on Service Passports and said it had found no evidence of the sale of Diplomatic Passports. The Minority maintains that the allegations point to a wider operation that requires an independent investigation. The Minority announced plans to move a motion in Parliament for the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the alleged scheme.
The Minority's allegations have not yet been independently established, and the individuals named in the allegations have not been found guilty of any wrongdoing. The claims have sparked concerns about the potential abuse of power and corruption within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Key points
- The Minority in Parliament alleges 300 Ghanaians acquired special passports through a fraudulent scheme involving Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials and intermediaries.
- The alleged scheme allowed paying applicants to obtain special passports by being assigned official positions and designations they did not hold.
- The Minority plans to move a motion in Parliament for the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the alleged scheme.
