Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is facing fresh political scrutiny following allegations by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) that diplomatic and service passports were issued to individuals who may not qualify for them.
The latest controversy comes amid questions surrounding the GH¢49.72 million spent on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, including chartered flights, accommodation, feeding, medical care, transportation and reintegration support.
In a letter dated October 30, 2026, and signed by NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party called on the United States Embassy in Ghana to investigate alleged irregularities involving six service passport beneficiaries linked to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Fisheries Commission.
The NPP claims that some beneficiaries were assigned official positions they do not occupy, while two of the positions stated in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ approval letters allegedly do not exist.
The opposition party argues that these discrepancies raise questions about the eligibility of the beneficiaries and the proper use of Ghanaian service passports.
The NPP has consequently urged the US Mission to strengthen its verification procedures and independently confirm the official positions of Ghanaian diplomatic and service passport holders before extending diplomatic courtesies.
It has also called on the government to suspend passports issued to ineligible individuals, publish a comprehensive list of diplomatic and service passports issued since January 7, 2025, and commission an independent audit of the issuance process.
Additionally, the party wants passports found to have been issued irregularly revoked and recovered, with individuals suspected of wrongdoing referred for investigation and possible prosecution.
The NPP maintains that its demands are intended to protect Ghana’s international reputation and strengthen accountability in the issuance of official travel documents.
The latest allegations have added to the political debate surrounding the Foreign Affairs Ministry, although the claims of irregular passport issuance have yet to be independently established.
Source: newsthemegh.com