Ghana Foreign Affairs: 2 Personnel Referred for Illegal Passport Scheme

• Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has referred two officers, Mahama Yahaya Amantana and Alhassan Sumani, to the Ghana Police Service for an illegal Service Passport issuance scheme.
• Both officers have been interdicted pending investigations into their alleged involvement.
• Alhassan Sumani is accused of being the chief architect of the scheme and operating as a 'goro boy' in 2023 before joining the Foreign Service.
• The investigation was triggered by petitions received on October 8, 2026, leading Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to form a committee.
• Retired Ambassador Mohammed Habib Idris, former Director of Passports, will also be investigated for irregularities during his 2023 tenure.

This development signals increased scrutiny and potential criminal prosecution for public officials involved in fraudulent schemes within Ghanaian government agencies, particularly concerning passport issuance.

Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally referred two of its personnel to the Ghana Police Service for comprehensive investigation and potential prosecution. This action stems from their alleged involvement in an illicit scheme concerning the issuance of Service Passports. The individuals in question are Mahama Yahaya Amantana, who serves as the Acting Director of Passports, and Alhassan Sumani, a junior Foreign Service Officer. Both officers have been placed on interdiction while the inquiry proceeds.

The referral to the Ghana Police Service follows preliminary findings from an internal probe into allegations that individuals who did not meet the eligibility criteria for Service Passports managed to obtain them through illegal payments made to an organized syndicate. This development underscores a significant effort to address potential public official corruption within the Foreign Affairs Ministry, particularly concerning the integrity of official document issuance.

The investigation has pinpointed Alhassan Sumani as a central figure, with petitions consistently naming him as the alleged primary architect of the fraudulent scheme. Notably, Mr. Sumani was recruited into the Foreign Service on November 29, 2024. However, he is also accused of having operated as a "goro boy"—a term for an unofficial middleman or facilitator—in 2023, prior to his formal entry into the Foreign Service.

Further expanding the scope of the inquiry, retired Ambassador Mohammed Habib Idris is also slated for investigation by security services. Ambassador Idris held the position of Director of Passports during 2023, a period when some of the reported irregularities are said to have occurred. The Ministry has affirmed its commitment to holding all implicated parties accountable, emphasizing that the entire investigation will be conducted with transparency, impartiality, and fairness.

The comprehensive Ghana Service Passport issuance investigation was initiated following the receipt of two distinct petitions on October 8, 2026, which detailed the alleged malpractices. In response to these serious allegations, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa promptly directed the formation of a dedicated committee on October 13, 2026, to thoroughly examine the claims and gather evidence.

The Ministry's decision to refer the interdicted officers to the Ghana Police Service was formally announced in a statement issued on Sunday, November 8, 2026. This step signifies the government's resolve to pursue criminal avenues where evidence of wrongdoing is found, moving beyond internal administrative measures to ensure justice and uphold the integrity of public institutions.

This ongoing probe into the Ghana Foreign Affairs illegal passport scheme sends a clear message regarding the nation's stance against corruption in public service. The interdiction of Mahama Yahaya Amantana and the serious allegations of passport fraud Ghana against Alhassan Sumani highlight a critical focus on accountability within government agencies responsible for sensitive national documents.

The proactive role of Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in directing a swift and thorough probe underscores a commitment to addressing systemic vulnerabilities. This development signals increased scrutiny and potential criminal prosecution for public officials involved in fraudulent schemes within Ghanaian government agencies, particularly concerning passport issuance.

This development signals increased scrutiny and potential criminal prosecution for public officials involved in fraudulent schemes within Ghanaian government agencies, particularly concerning passport issuance. Lawyers should advise clients on the heightened risks associated with illicit channels for official documents and monitor for stricter enforcement actions against corruption.

Source: Original reporting via Ernest K. Arhinful