The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has disclosed preliminary findings of alleged illegal payments and irregularities in the issuance of Ghanaian Service Passports, as investigations into the growing passport controversy intensify.
In a major update on the trending passport administration issue, the Ministry says preliminary investigations have confirmed that some individuals who allegedly did not qualify for Service Passports were issued the travel documents after making illegal payments through a suspected syndicate. The disclosure was contained in a statement issued in Accra on November 8, 2026.
The statement, shared by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, outlines the government’s response to the allegations, measures taken to strengthen passport administration and actions initiated against officers suspected of involvement in the alleged irregularities.
Foreign Affairs Ministry Confirms Preliminary Findings
According to the Ministry, its preliminary investigations have established that some individuals who were not eligible for Service Passports obtained the documents after allegedly making illegal payments.
The Ministry says the suspected irregularities concern Service Passports, which are intended for public officials and other eligible persons undertaking official government assignments.
The development has further intensified public scrutiny of Ghana’s passport issuance system, particularly the procedures used to determine eligibility and approve applications for official travel documents.
The Ministry maintains that the issuance of Ghanaian passports is governed by established legal and administrative procedures, which must be strictly observed to protect the integrity of the country’s travel documents.
Investigation Committee Established
The Ministry disclosed that a committee was promptly constituted on October 13, 2026, following the receipt of a petition on October 8, 2026.
The committee was tasked with investigating the allegations and examining the circumstances surrounding the suspected irregularities.
As part of the investigation, the Ministry says the Director of Passports has been interdicted. A senior Foreign Service officer has also been interdicted, while the two officers have been referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution.
The Ministry says the actions are intended to facilitate a thorough investigation and ensure that any persons found culpable are held accountable under the law.
The interdictions do not, in themselves, establish guilt, and the allegations remain subject to the outcome of the investigations and applicable legal processes.
Ministry Distinguishes Service Passports from Diplomatic Passports
One of the significant clarifications in the statement is the Ministry’s position on the distinction between Service Passports and Diplomatic Passports.
The Ministry says that, based on the evidence available to it, the investigations so far have uncovered alleged irregularities involving Service Passports rather than Diplomatic Passports.
It further states that no evidence has emerged from the investigations conducted so far to establish that Ghana’s Diplomatic Passports are being sold.
The clarification comes amid growing political controversy over claims that Ghanaian official travel documents were being issued or sold to persons who did not qualify.
The distinction is important because Service and Diplomatic Passports serve different purposes and are subject to different eligibility requirements.
The Ministry has indicated that investigations will continue to establish the full extent of the alleged irregularities.
Ministry Defends Passport Administration Reforms
Despite the controversy, the Ministry has highlighted reforms introduced under the current administration to improve passport administration in Ghana.
According to the statement, the government has introduced measures aimed at improving efficiency, security, accessibility and transparency in the passport issuance process.
Among the reforms highlighted are the establishment of Passport Application Centres in all 16 regions of Ghana, the introduction of enhanced security protocols, improvements in application tracking and measures to reduce delays.
The Ministry also referenced the reduction in passport application fees and the introduction of modernised systems intended to make passport acquisition more accessible to ordinary Ghanaians.
It cited a Ghana Statistical Service survey which reportedly ranked Passport Administration among the country’s most transformed and least corrupt public institutions.
The Ministry says these reforms demonstrate its commitment to improving public service delivery and strengthening institutional accountability.
Ministry Vows to Prosecute Those Found Culpable
The Ministry has assured the public that it will pursue the investigation to its logical conclusion.
It says individuals found to have abused their positions or participated in the alleged illegal issuance of Service Passports will be brought to justice.
The Ministry has also reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism in the administration of Ghanaian passports.
It maintains that the ongoing investigation should not undermine the credibility of legitimate passport holders or the broader reforms being implemented to improve the system.
Passport Scandal Raises Accountability Questions
The latest disclosure is expected to intensify public debate over the integrity of Ghana’s passport administration system and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The controversy has also raised questions about how individuals allegedly obtained official travel documents despite not meeting the required eligibility criteria.
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has separately alleged that six individuals were granted Service Passports based on inaccurate or questionable official job descriptions linked to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Fisheries Commission.
The party petitioned the United States Embassy in Ghana over the alleged irregularities and called for increased scrutiny of the affected passports. These claims remain allegations and have not been independently established.
The issue has also featured in parliamentary discussions, with Majority Leader James Agalga assuring Parliament that individuals implicated in the alleged passport irregularities would not be shielded from investigations.
As investigations continue, public attention is expected to focus on the findings of the committee, the role of officials involved and the measures that will be implemented to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry says its ultimate objective is to safeguard the credibility of Ghanaian passports and restore public confidence in the country’s passport administration system.
APT News Ghana will continue to follow developments in the ongoing investigation.
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