Government Moves to Restore Integrity in Passport Administration, Cancels 10 Irregularly Issued Passports

# Government Moves to Restore Integrity in Passport Administration, Cancels 10 Irregularly Issued Passports

The government has taken steps to restore integrity and strengthen accountability in Ghana’s passport administration system following the cancellation of 10 Service Passports allegedly issued to individuals who did not qualify for the travel documents.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the cancellation on Sunday, November 8, 2026, following preliminary investigations into an alleged passport-for-sale scheme believed to have operated within the passport administration system since 2023.

In a statement, the Ministry said the affected passports were issued through an alleged arrangement involving the payment of money to individuals within the system.

As part of measures to address the alleged misconduct, two officials, including the Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana, have been interdicted.

A junior Foreign Service Officer, Alhassan Sumani, who was identified in petitions submitted to the Ministry as the alleged mastermind of the scheme, has also been interdicted.

The three officers have been referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution, as the government moves to ensure accountability in the administration of official travel documents.

The investigations followed two petitions received by the Ministry, with the first submitted on October 8, 2026, raising concerns about the alleged irregular issuance of Service Passports to individuals who did not meet the eligibility requirements.

According to the Ministry, one petitioner alleged paying US$29,000 in 2023, while another claimed that US$5,000 was paid to individuals connected to the scheme in 2026.

Following the first petition, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, directed the establishment of an investigative committee on October 13, 2026, to examine the allegations and establish the facts surrounding the reported irregularities.

Preliminary findings reportedly established that 10 individuals who did not satisfy the requirements for Service Passports had obtained the documents through the alleged arrangement.

The affected individuals are Richard Sakyi Apenteng, Augustina Agyei Boateng, Juliet Amankwa, Rebecca Agyeiwaa, Prince Ahensah, Maybel Ahensah, Twumasi Francis Kwame, Gyabaah Anthony, Frederick Ennin and Bosompem Richard.

The Ministry disclosed that the passports were issued between January 2023 and August 2026.

The cancellation of the documents, interdiction of the implicated officials and referral of the matter to the police form part of the Ministry's response to the allegations and efforts to safeguard the credibility of Ghana's passport administration system.

The ongoing investigations are expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged scheme and determine the appropriate legal and administrative action against anyone found culpable.

Story by: Andre Mustapha Nii Okai Inusah

Popularly Known As: Attractive Mustapha

Email: attractivemustapha@gmail.com

Contact Number 0244259564