Source: newsthemegh.com
Employees of the passport office have come under fire from foreign affairs minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey for allegedly indulging in fraudulent practices that have damaged the service’s credibility.
She also bemoaned the exorbitant fees Ghanaians must pay to obtain passports.
The minister voiced her displeasure with the alleged practice of passport employees and individuals referred to as “goro boys and girls” extorting money from applicants in order to expedite their services.
Ms. Botchwey emphasized the necessity to purge the passport system, and as a result, she has terminated the office’s workers, effective as of August 21.
The minister emphasized how common corruption is in government and civil service, but said that an investigation is still ongoing and anyone found guilty will face the proper consequences.
Additionally, she made public her order to create an online system for passport applications, which regrettably has been abused for financial benefit.
“I instructed my staff to set up an online system. Now, she complained, “the online system is being abused so that people can profit from it.
Some people have been referenced in the investigations that are now underway. There is a cartel of individuals who collaborate with insiders.
Anyone who has been a member of this community for more than a year is asked not to return starting on Monday because they have undergone transformation. “We want to bring some sanity,” she stated.
Every time we claim that politicians are corrupt, some public and civil workers will act improperly and then blame politicians for their actions. We are attempting to sanitize the system, but to no avail.
The minister expressed her discontent with the current passport charge of more than GH3000 for Ghanaian citizens during a surprise visit to the Passport Office.
Botchwey is dedicated to combat corruption among the ranks of public and civil workers in an effort to restore integrity to the system, with the ultimate goal of fostering a more open and accountable society.