Ghana Service Passport scheme: 10 Cancelled, 2 Probed

Corruption Probe Hits Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The integrity of Ghana’s travel documentation system is under intense scrutiny following the exposure of a high-level Ghana Service Passport scheme. The Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently announced the cancellation of 10 service passports that were allegedly issued to individuals who did not meet the legal requirements for such documents. This decisive action comes amidst a broader crackdown on passport office corruption that has seen two high-ranking officials removed from their posts.

The scandal highlights significant vulnerabilities within the administrative processes of the Foreign Ministry. Service passports are typically reserved for government officials, high-ranking civil servants, and individuals traveling on official state business. The discovery that these documents were being traded as commodities to the highest bidder has sparked public outrage and raised questions about the depth of institutional rot within the passport issuance system.

Interdictions and Police Referrals

In a direct response to the allegations, the Ministry has interdicted two key figures suspected of facilitating the illicit trade. Among those facing investigation is Mahama Yahaya Amantana, who served as the Acting Director of Passports. He is joined by Alhassan Sumani, a junior Foreign Service Officer. Both individuals have been “stepped aside” to ensure that the ongoing investigative committee can operate without internal interference or potential evidence tampering.

The matter has escalated beyond internal disciplinary measures. Following a statement released by the Ministry on Sunday, the cases of Amantana and Sumani have been formally referred to the Ghana Police Service for potential criminal prosecution. James Agalga, the Majority Leader, confirmed to Parliament that these interdictions were necessary to restore public confidence and allow for a transparent inquiry into how the Ghana Service Passport scheme bypassed standard security protocols.

The Timeline of the Bribery Allegations

The unraveling of the syndicate began when the Ministry received formal petitions detailing the inner workings of the bribery ring. These petitions shed light on the exorbitant sums paid by individuals seeking to acquire government-status documentation illegally. The timeline reveals a persistent pattern of exploitation spanning several years, touching on broader organized crime issues within public sectors.

“An organised network inside the passport administration system was selling Service Passports to ineligible individuals.”

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement

• October 8, 2026: The Ministry received the first petition alleging that an organized network within the passport administration was selling Service Passports to ineligible applicants.
• Investigation of 2023 Claims: One petitioner reported paying a staggering US$29,000 in 2023 to secure a service passport through the syndicate.
• October 13, 2026: Only five days after the initial report, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa established a specialized investigative committee to probe the claims.
• Second Petitioner Report: A second individual came forward alleging they paid US$5,000 in 2026 to members of the same network for illegal documentation services.
• November 8, 2026: The Ministry officially announced the interdiction of the Acting Director and the referral of the case to the police.

Uncovering the Ghana Service Passport scheme Syndicate

The investigation has uncovered an “organized network” that operated with alarming efficiency inside the passport administration. Unlike petty corruption, which often involves small bribes to speed up legitimate processes, this syndicate allegedly specialized in the wholesale fabrication of eligibility. By misrepresenting the status of private citizens, the network was able to issue Service Passports—documents that often grant the holder easier visa processing and certain diplomatic courtesies abroad.

According to the Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the syndicate’s operations were not limited to a single department. Instead, they appeared to have tentacles reaching into various stages of the application and approval process. Preliminary investigations suggest that the 10 cancelled passports were just the “tip of the iceberg,” as officials continue to audit records dating back to 2023 to identify other irregularly issued documents. The involvement of the Acting Director suggests a top-down failure in oversight, where those meant to guard the system were allegedly the ones exploiting it.

What This Means for Ordinary Ghanaians

For the average citizen, the Ghana Service Passport scheme is a frustrating reminder of the costs of systemic corruption. When government officials sell high-tier documents for tens of thousands of dollars, it devalues the national passport and can lead to increased scrutiny of all Ghanaian travelers at international borders. Furthermore, the diversion of resources toward these illegal schemes often results in longer wait times and more bureaucratic hurdles for legitimate applicants seeking standard passports.

As the government moves toward expanding digital financial services and online administrative portals, there is hope that increased automation will reduce the opportunities for face-to-face bribery. However, experts argue that technology alone cannot solve the problem if the leadership remains compromised. To protect themselves, citizens are advised to avoid “goro boys” or middlemen who claim to have “inside connections” at the passport office. Official channels, though sometimes slower, remain the only legal way to obtain travel documents.

The Ministry has vowed to continue its “clean-up” exercise, emphasizing that no officer, regardless of rank, is above the law. The results of the police investigation and the potential prosecution of Mahama Yahaya Amantana will serve as a litmus test for the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the face of institutionalized graft.