Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sanctioned a person implicated in an undercover investigation by The Fourth Estate into alleged irregularities in obtaining attestation documents from state institutions.
The Ministry said the individual, who is not a staff member of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, has been sanctioned by his respective institution and reported to law enforcement for further investigation and possible prosecution.
In a statement dated September 3, 2026, the Ministry said it had noted The Fourth Estate’s report published on September 2, 2026, on its undercover investigation into attestation services.
The Ministry commended the investigative media organisation for its work, describing it as an important contribution to “enhancing good governance, public accountability and operational efficiency.”
However, it stressed that it operates a zero-tolerance policy towards middlemen or third-party facilitators involved in the acquisition of attestation documents.
“The Ministry wishes to assure the general public that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy on middlemen or third-party facilitators in the acquisition of attestation documents and is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical service delivery to the public,” the statement said.
According to the Ministry, management “condemns the reported practice of unscrupulous middlemen without any official link to the Ministry whatsoever, who take advantage of vulnerable citizens.”
It said that following a report received about the undercover investigation, the man implicated in the matter was identified and action was taken against him by his respective institution.
The Ministry added that the individual had also been banned from entering its premises.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry further clarified that the officially approved fee for attestation is GH¢200.
It said the fee is collected by officials of the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, who are responsible for issuing the appropriate receipts.
“We reiterate that the parliamentary-approved fee for attestation is GH¢200, which is collected by officials of the Controller and Accountant-General who issue the appropriate receipts,” the Ministry stated.
It warned members of the public against dealing with intermediaries when seeking attestation services.
“No one should engage the services of middlemen; it is strictly illegal,” the statement stressed.
The Ministry encouraged members of the public who have information, enquiries or complaints concerning the process to contact the Ministry through its official channels.
The Ministry also said it had begun reforms aimed at improving its consular and attestation services even before The Fourth Estate’s investigation.
It said the reforms include efforts to make payments for the services cashless and the development of digital platforms to manage the entire attestation process.
According to the Ministry, the digital reforms are intended to “drastically reduce human interface” and improve the efficiency and integrity of the service.
“We are confident that these reforms will produce desirable outcomes similar to what we have achieved with Passport Administration in Ghana,” the statement added.
The Ministry explained that the attestation process involves multiple institutions across different arms of government and said stronger coordination had been underway for several months.
It said the reforms are intended to strengthen “multi-institutional integrity and credibility” in the delivery of attestation services.
The Ministry's response comes after The Fourth Estate published findings from an undercover investigation into the processes involved in obtaining attestation services from state institutions.
Read the full statement below
NA/BAI
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