Ghana Minority: Alleges Illegal Diplomatic Service Passports Scheme

• Ghana's Minority in Parliament alleges approximately 300 citizens traveled abroad using illegally obtained diplomatic and service passports.
• The alleged scheme involved a travel and tour business facilitating passport acquisition for unqualified individuals through a `Ghana passport administration syndicate`.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revoked 10 service passports issued between January 2023 and August 2026 due to illegal acquisition.
• The interdicted former Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana, and a junior Foreign Service Officer have been interdicted and referred to police for investigation.
• The Minority is calling for a parliamentary investigation into the `Ghana illegal diplomatic service passports scheme` to determine its full scope and any public official involvement.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Ghana should advise clients on increased scrutiny for diplomatic and service passport applications and renewals, given the ongoing investigation into an alleged illegal scheme involving Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials.

Ghana's Minority in Parliament has brought forth serious allegations concerning an extensive `Ghana illegal diplomatic service passports scheme`, claiming that approximately 300 Ghanaian citizens have traveled internationally, primarily to Europe, utilizing diplomatic and service passports obtained through illicit means. These special travel documents were reportedly acquired via an arrangement involving personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Passport Office, despite the recipients not meeting the legal qualifications for such passports.

According to Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, who addressed a press conference on Sunday, November 8, the alleged scheme operated through a travel and tour business. This enterprise reportedly facilitated the acquisition of these passports for individuals who paid a fee, even though they were not entitled to hold them. Mr. Jinapor identified Ibrahim Wallee as the individual managing this travel and tour operation within Ghana, with Bright Yeboah Owusu allegedly serving as his agent in Europe.

Further details of the alleged `Ghana Ministry Foreign Affairs passport fraud` indicate that applicants were assigned official positions and designations that either did not exist or were not genuinely held by them, solely to expedite their passport applications. It was also claimed that certain officials provided assistance to beneficiaries at airports, enabling them to bypass or minimize scrutiny from immigration authorities. The Minority is now advocating for a comprehensive parliamentary investigation to ascertain the full scope of individuals involved, the precise methods of facilitation, and whether any public officials financially benefited from this illicit operation.

Hours before the Minority's press conference, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued its own statement, addressing the emerging allegations. The Ministry confirmed that it had already taken action by revoking ten service passports, which were determined to have been obtained through an illegal arrangement orchestrated by a `Ghana passport administration syndicate` operating within the passport system.

These `revoked Ghana service passports` had been issued between January 2023 and August 2026 to individuals who, following preliminary investigations, were found not to have met the necessary criteria for possessing service passports. The Ministry also stated that it is actively pursuing the beneficiaries of these illegally acquired documents, including two individuals who reportedly traveled abroad in 2023 using them.

The Ministry's internal investigation was initiated after two petitions were received on October 8, 2026. Subsequently, on October 13, an investigative committee was established under the direct instructions of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. As a result of these findings, the interdicted former Acting Director of Passports, `Mahama Yahaya Amantana`, along with a junior Foreign Service Officer named Alhassan Sumani, have been interdicted and referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigation and potential prosecution.

The `Samuel Abu Jinapor passport allegations` and the Ministry's subsequent actions underscore a significant breach of trust and security within Ghana's passport administration. The Minority's call for a parliamentary inquiry aims to uncover the full extent of the operation, including the exact number of individuals involved, the intricate methods used to facilitate the fraud, and any financial gains accrued by public officials.

This unfolding scandal highlights critical vulnerabilities in the system for issuing official travel documents. The integrity of Ghana's diplomatic and service passports is paramount for national security and international relations, making a thorough and transparent investigation essential. The potential for individuals to travel under false pretenses poses serious risks that extend beyond mere administrative irregularities.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Ghana should advise clients on increased scrutiny for diplomatic and service passport applications and renewals, given the ongoing investigation into an alleged illegal scheme involving Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Ghana should advise clients on increased scrutiny for diplomatic and service passport applications and renewals, given the ongoing investigation into an alleged illegal scheme involving Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials. This scandal highlights the need for enhanced due diligence in verifying the legitimacy of travel documents to mitigate fraud risks and potential legal exposure.

Source: Original reporting via Ernest K. Arhinful