The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the cancellation of 10 illegally issued Ghanaian Service Passports following investigations into an alleged passport-selling syndicate that has reportedly operated since 2023.
In a statement, the Ministry said preliminary investigations had uncovered irregularities in the issuance of Service Passports to individuals who did not meet the required eligibility criteria.
The development follows two petitions received by the Ministry, with one petitioner alleging that he paid US$29,000 in 2023, while another claimed to have paid US$5,000 in 2026 to members of the alleged criminal network.
Two Passport Officials Interdicted Over Alleged Corruption
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa ordered an investigation into the allegations after the first petition was received on October 8, 2026. A special investigative committee was subsequently established on October 13, 2026.
As part of the investigation, Acting Director of Passports Mahama Yahaya Amantana and a junior Foreign Service Officer, Alhassan Sumani, have been interdicted.
The two officials have also been referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution.
According to the Ministry, Sumani was mentioned in all the petitions as an alleged key figure in the scheme. He was reportedly involved in the activities before joining the Foreign Service on November 29, 2024.
10 Illegally Issued Service Passports Cancelled
The Ministry disclosed that its preliminary investigations identified 10 individuals who allegedly obtained Service Passports through unauthorised payments.
The passports, issued between January 2023 and August 2026, have since been cancelled and are no longer valid for international travel.
The Ministry added that international partners have been formally notified of the cancellations. Efforts are also underway to pursue the individuals involved, including two people who allegedly used the improperly acquired passports to travel in 2023.
The former Director of Passports during the period under investigation, Ambassador Mohammed Habib Idris, who has since retired, will also be investigated by the security agencies. The Ministry says appropriate sanctions will follow if he is found culpable.
Ministry Clarifies Diplomatic Passports Are Not Involved
Addressing public concerns surrounding the alleged passport scandal, the Ministry stressed that the investigation concerns Service Passports and not Diplomatic Passports.
It emphasised that there is currently no evidence indicating that Ghana’s Diplomatic Passports are being sold.
The Ministry further assured Ghanaians and international partners that it remains committed to transparency, accountability and the prosecution of individuals found responsible for undermining the integrity of Ghana’s passport administration system.
Ghana Introduces Passport Reforms and Reduces Application Fees
The Ministry also highlighted reforms introduced under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration to improve Ghana’s passport services.
Key initiatives include the introduction of ICAO-compliant chip-embedded passports, the establishment of Passport Application Centres across all 16 regions, 24-hour passport services, free courier delivery and an electronic passport application tracking system.
Additionally, the government has reduced the standard passport application fee from GH¢500 to GH¢350 to make passport acquisition more affordable.
The Ministry said these reforms are intended to strengthen passport security, improve service delivery, eliminate corruption and enhance public confidence in Ghanaian travel documents.
Official Figures on Ghanaian Passports Issued
According to data from the Passport Office, a total of 1,397 Service Passports were issued between 2009 and 2016. The number increased to 3,174 between 2017 and 2024, while 754 have been issued from 2025 to date.
For Diplomatic Passports, 2,899 were issued between 2009 and 2016, compared with 5,682 between 2017 and 2024. A further 1,944 Diplomatic Passports have been issued since 2025.
The Ministry maintains that the latest reforms and investigations demonstrate its commitment to protecting the credibility of Ghanaian passports.
It has pledged to pursue all individuals involved in the alleged Service Passport scandal and ensure that the country’s passport administration system meets international standards of security, professionalism and integrity.
Source: newsthemegh.com