The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has interdicted its Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana, and a junior Foreign Service Officer, Alhassan Sumani (FSO A5), over their alleged involvement in a criminal syndicate selling Ghanaian Service Passports.
The interdicted officers have been handed over to the Ghana Police Service for further investigation and possible prosecution following two petitions detailing illegal payments of US29,000.00 in 2023 and US5,000.00 in 2026 to obtain the restricted travel documents.
A committee established on October 13, 2026, by the Foreign Minister—five days after receiving the initial petition—confirmed that ten unqualified individuals paid illicit fees to acquire Service Passports between 2023 and 2026.
The Ministry has formally revoked all ten fraudulent documents, notified international partners, and confirmed that security agencies are actively pursuing the recipients, including two who used the passports to travel abroad in 2023.
“The two officers have also been referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution,” the Ministry stated.
“The Ministry assures that all the Service Passports listed above which were illegaly issued since 2023 have been cancelled and therefore cannot be used. Our international partners have been duly notified”.
Investigators are also extending their probe to retired former Director of Passports, Ambassador Mohammed Habib Idris, who headed the office during the 2023 period in question. Official records released by the Ministry show that 1,397 Service Passports were issued between 2009 and 2016, 3,174 between 2017 and 2024, and 754 from 2025 to date. During the same historical blocks, Diplomatic Passport issuances stood at 2,899, 5,682, and 1,944 respectively.
Refuting claims of widespread document compromise, the Ministry clarified that the illegal scheme was strictly confined to Service Passports and did not affect diplomatic credentials.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state for the record that so far, no evidence has emerged that Ghana’s Diplomatic Passports are being sold,” the statement highlighted. “For the avoidance of doubt, the matters under investigations are about Service Passports and not Diplomatic Passports”.
The Ministry commended its internal oversight mechanisms for exposing the syndicate, reiterating its resolve to protect the integrity of the country’s travel documentation through strict policy reforms. “We shall ensure that the culprits of this despicable act to undermine the credibility of our Service Passports are brought to justice. We promise full transparency, impartiality and accountability,” the Ministry stated.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
