Passport Probe

The Office of the Special Prosecutor has commenced investigations into allegations of corruption and irregularities in the issuance of Ghanaian Diplomatic and Service Passports.

The allegations concern a suspected scheme in which persons who did not qualify for Diplomatic and Service Passports allegedly obtained them in exchange for payments to individuals within the passport administration system.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that its preliminary investigations identified ten Service Passports allegedly issued irregularly between January 2023 and August 2026. It also received two petitions alleging payments of US$29,000 and US$5,000 in connection with the scheme.

Two serving officers have been interdicted and referred to the Ghana Police Service for investigation and possible prosecution. The Ministry has also indicated that the conduct of a former Director of Passports during the relevant period will be examined.

The ten passports have reportedly been cancelled, and efforts are being made to trace the beneficiaries, including those alleged to have used the documents for international travel.

The OSP investigation will establish the roles of those involved, trace the alleged payments, examine the approval and issuance processes and determine whether any corruption or corruption-related offences were committed.

Further information will be disclosed where appropriate and without compromising the investigation. All persons concerned are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.