Foreign Affairs Ministry Uncovers Illegal Sale of Ghanaian Service Passports, Two Officers Interdicted

Story by: Regina Bless

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has uncovered an alleged illegal Service Passport issuance scheme that has reportedly been operating since 2023, leading to the interdiction of two officers and a referral of the matter to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations.

In a statement dated November 8, 2026, the Ministry disclosed that it received two petitions alleging irregularities in the issuance of Service Passports. One petitioner claimed to have paid US$29,000 in 2023, while another alleged payment of US$5,000 in 2026 to individuals involved in the scheme.

Following instructions from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a committee was established on October 13, 2026, to investigate the allegations.

The Ministry subsequently interdicted the Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana, and a junior Foreign Service Officer, Alhassan Sumani, who was named in the petitions as an alleged key figure in the operation.

Both officers have been referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution.

The Ministry further revealed that preliminary investigations identified 10 Service Passports allegedly issued to individuals who did not qualify for them after making illegal payments. The passports have since been cancelled, and international partners have been notified.

It added that efforts are underway to pursue individuals who allegedly used the illegally acquired passports to travel in 2023.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has indicated that the former Director of Passports during the period in question, Ambassador Mohammed Habib Idris, who is now retired, will also be investigated to ensure fairness and accountability.

The statement stressed that the investigation concerns Service Passports and not Ghanaian Diplomatic Passports, adding that no evidence has so far emerged to suggest that Diplomatic Passports are being sold.

The Ministry also highlighted recent passport reforms, including the introduction of chip-embedded passports, the establishment of application centres across all 16 regions, 24-hour operations, free courier delivery and a reduction in passport application fees from GH¢500 to GH¢350.

It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, institutional reforms and ensuring that all individuals implicated in the alleged passport-selling scheme are brought to justice.

The Ministry assured Ghanaians that it would continue strengthening passport administration to protect the credibility and integrity of Ghanaian passports.