Passport-for-sale scheme: Retired ambassador faces probe over 2023 irregularities

Retired Ambassador Mohammed Habib Idris, who served as Director of Passports in 2023, is expected to face investigations by Ghana’s security services over his possible involvement in alleged irregularities surrounding the issuance of Service Passports.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the former director will be investigated as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding an alleged passport-for-sale scheme uncovered through preliminary investigations.

In a statement issued on November 8, 2026, the Ministry said Ambassador Idris would be sanctioned if found culpable.

The investigation has so far identified 10 Service Passports allegedly issued to individuals who did not qualify for them after illegal payments were made to a syndicate.

The alleged irregularities span January 2023 to August 2026, with the Ministry identifying junior Foreign Service Officer Alhassan Sumani as the suspected chief architect of the scheme.

According to the Ministry, Sumani operated as a “goro boy” in 2023 before joining the Foreign Service on November 29, 2024.

The Ministry described the alleged operation as sophisticated, noting that it predated the current administration.

“It is apparent that this Service Passport For Sale Scheme was a sophisticated operation which predates the current administration, we are however glad that the masterminds have finally been exposed and rounded up due to our heightened diligence and zero tolerance for corruption,” the statement said.

The investigation followed two petitions received by the Ministry on October 8, 2026. One petitioner claimed to have paid US$29,000 in 2023, while another alleged that US$5,000 was paid in 2026 to individuals linked to the scheme.

A committee was established on October 13 on the instructions of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to investigate the allegations.

Meanwhile, Acting Director of Passports Mahama Yahaya Amantana and Alhassan Sumani have been interdicted and referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution.

The Ministry said all 10 Service Passports identified in its preliminary findings had been cancelled, with international partners notified. It is also pursuing the holders, including two people who successfully travelled with the documents in 2023.