Passport scandal: Foreign Affairs Ministry interdicts two officials, refers them to police

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says preliminary investigations into an alleged Service Passport-for-sale scheme have uncovered irregularities dating back to 2023, with a retired ambassador also expected to face investigations over his possible involvement.

The Ministry disclosed that retired Ambassador Mohammed Habib Idris, who served as Director of Passports in 2023, would be investigated by the security services and sanctioned if found culpable.

Two serving officials, Acting Director of Passports Mahama Yahaya Amantana and junior Foreign Service Officer Alhassan Sumani, have already been interdicted and referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution.

According to the Ministry, preliminary findings identified 10 Service Passports allegedly issued to individuals who did not qualify for them following illegal payments to a syndicate.

It said the alleged scheme operated between January 2023 and August 2026, adding that Sumani was suspected to be its chief architect. The Ministry alleged that he operated as a “goro boy” in 2023 before joining the Foreign Service on November 29, 2024.

Describing the alleged operation, the Ministry said: “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 investigation began after the Ministry received two petitions 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 subsequently established on October 13 on the instructions of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to investigate the allegations.

The Ministry has also moved to distinguish the investigation from claims about the sale of Diplomatic Passports, insisting that the two categories of travel documents should not be confused.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state for the record that so far, no evidence has emerged that Ghana’s Diplomatic Passports are being sold,” the statement said.

It further clarified, “For the avoidance of doubt, the matters under investigations are about Service Passports and not Diplomatic Passports.”

All 10 Service Passports identified in the preliminary findings have been cancelled, and international partners notified. The Ministry said the holders, including two people who successfully travelled with the documents in 2023, were being pursued.

The Ministry said it remained committed to protecting the credibility of Ghanaian travel documents and ensuring that anyone found culpable is held accountable.

“The two officers have also been referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution,” it stated.