Foreign Ministry interdicts two officers, terminates 10 illegally issued Service Passports

Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cancelled 10 Service Passports allegedly obtained by individuals who did not qualify for the travel documents, following preliminary investigations into an alleged passport-for-sale syndicate operating within the passport administration system since 2023.

In a statement issued on Sunday, November 8, the Ministry said the affected passports were secured through an alleged arrangement involving payments to individuals within the system.

It also announced the interdiction of two officials, including the Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana, over their alleged involvement in the matter.

A junior Foreign Service Officer, Alhassan Sumani, who was identified in petitions received by the Ministry as the alleged mastermind of the scheme, has also been interdicted.

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

The Ministry's action follows two petitions, the first of which was received on October 8, 2026, alleging irregularities in the issuance of Service Passports to individuals who did not meet the eligibility requirements.

According to the Ministry, one petitioner claimed to have paid US$29,000 in 2023, while another alleged that US$5,000 was paid to persons involved in the arrangement in 2026.

Following the first petition, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on October 13, 2026, directed the formation of an investigative committee to examine the allegations.

The Ministry said the probe was initiated after claims emerged that an organised network had been facilitating the unlawful acquisition of Service Passports in exchange for substantial sums of money.

Preliminary findings have reportedly established that 10 individuals who were not eligible for the documents obtained them through the alleged scheme.

The individuals named by the Ministry are Richard Sakyi Apenteng, Augustina Agyei Boateng, Juliet Amankwa, Rebecca Agyeiwaa, Prince Ahensah, Maybel Ahensah, Twumasi Francis Kwame, Gyabaah Anthony, Frederick Ennin and Bosompem Richard.

The Ministry disclosed that the passports were issued between January 2023 and August 2026.