Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has blown the whistle on an alleged high-level passport racketeering scheme, accusing key officials at the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Passport Office of turning the issuance of state travel documents into a lucrative travel and tour business.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, November 8, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee revealed that the syndicate has unlawfully procured and peddled Diplomatic and Service Passports to unqualified individuals, enabling roughly 300 citizens to migrate to Europe and other international destinations.
Unpacking the operational structure of the ring, Mr Jinapor identified Ibrahim Wallee as the mastermind directing affairs on home soil, whilst Bright Yeboah Owusu allegedly operated as the Europe-based coordinator.
He disclosed that the syndicate systematically fabricated official government roles and titles for applicants to satisfy eligibility criteria for the restricted documents, going so far as to create non-existent designations.
The high-value passports were then hawked to individuals facing travel restrictions, promising visa-free entry into select territories.
To guarantee seamless passage, insider personnel from the Ministry were reportedly stationed at the airport to shield beneficiaries from rigorous checks by Ghana Immigration Service officers.
“As at now, our sources indicate that some 300 Ghanaians have travelled to Europe and other destinations using diplomatic and service passports allegedly issued through this arrangement,” Mr Jinapor stated.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a official statement announcing the revocation of 10 Service Passports fraudulently acquired through the syndicate, which preliminary findings indicate has been active since 2023.
Additionally, the two senior figures—Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana, and junior Foreign Service Officer Alhassan Sumani, named as the primary architect—have been interdicted and handed over to the Ghana Police Service for criminal investigation and prosecution.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana