An investigation into an illegal Service passport racket Ghana has operated since 2023 has led to the interdiction of top passport officials, police referrals, and the immediate cancellation of ten fraudulently issued travel documents.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Sunday, November 8, 2026, that an internal probe uncovered a criminal network selling official Service Passports to unqualified individuals for tens of thousands of dollars.
Cartel Charged Up to $29,000 Per Passport
The scheme came to light after the Ministry received two separate petitions detailing how private citizens paid illicit fees to secure government-issued Service Passports.
According to official findings, "The 2023 petitioner claimed he paid US$29,000.00 while the 2026 petitioner states that he paid US$5,000.00 to those involved in this criminal cartel."
Following the first petition on October 8, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa ordered a committee set up on October 13 to investigate the allegations. The probe confirmed that illegal payments were made to bypass statutory eligibility requirements.
Top Officials Interdicted and Referred to Police
The fallout from the investigation has hit the highest levels of the Passport Office. Acting Director of Passports, Mr. Mahama Yahaya Amantana, has been interdicted from his post.
A junior Foreign Service Officer, Alhassan Sumani, who was named across multiple petitions as the chief architect, has also been interdicted. Investigators revealed that Sumani functioned as an illegal middleman in 2023 before gaining formal employment in the Foreign Service in November 2024.
Both officers have been handed over to the Ghana Police Service for criminal investigation and potential prosecution.
In addition, retired Ambassador Mohammed Habib Idris, who served as Director of Passports during the 2023 period under review, will face security service interrogation and potential sanctions if found culpable.
Ten Passports Cancelled, International Partners Alerted
The Ministry has formally revoked ten Service Passports issued illegally between January 2023 and August 2026. The cancelled documents belong to Richard Sakyi Apenteng, Augustina Agyei Boateng, Juliet Amankwa, Rebecca Agyeiwaa, Prince Ahensah, Maybel Ahensah, Twumasi Francis Kwame, Gyabaah Anthony, Frederick Ennin, and Bosompem Richard.
Security agencies are currently pursuing the holders, including two individuals who successfully used the fraudulently obtained passports to travel abroad in 2023. International security partners have been notified to prevent further use of the documents.
The Ministry emphasized that the scandal is strictly limited to Service Passports, clarifying that "for the avoidance of doubt, the matters under investigations are about Service Passports and not Diplomatic Passports."
Official records show 754 Service Passports and 1,944 Diplomatic Passports have been issued since 2025, compared to 3,174 Service Passports and 5,682 Diplomatic Passports issued between 2017 and 2024.
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