The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed allegations that Ghana’s Diplomatic Passports are being sold, clarifying that investigations into an alleged passport-for-sale scheme concern Service Passports and not Diplomatic Passports.

In a statement issued on Sunday, November 8, 2026, the Ministry said preliminary findings had identified irregularities involving Service Passports allegedly issued to individuals who did not qualify for them.

The Ministry stressed that no evidence had so far emerged to suggest that Ghana’s Diplomatic Passports were being sold.

It urged the public to distinguish between the two categories of travel documents to avoid confusion over the ongoing investigations.

Ten Service Passports cancelled

The Ministry disclosed that preliminary investigations had identified 10 Service Passports allegedly issued irregularly between January 2023 and August 2026.

The documents were reportedly obtained through illegal payments to a suspected syndicate operating within the passport administration system.

All 10 passports have been cancelled, and the Ministry said their holders were being pursued. Ghana’s international partners have also been informed that the documents are no longer valid.

The investigation followed two petitions received by the Ministry on October 8, 2026. One petitioner alleged that US$29,000 was paid in 2023, while another claimed to have paid US$5,000 in 2026 to individuals involved in the alleged scheme.

Two officials interdicted

As part of the investigation, the Ministry has interdicted the Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana, and a junior Foreign Service Officer, Alhassan Sumani.

Both officials have been referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution.

The Ministry also indicated that retired Ambassador Mohammed Habib Idris, a former Director of Passports who served during part of the period under investigation, would be investigated by the security agencies.

It said appropriate action would be taken against anyone found culpable.

Ministry outlines passport reforms

The Ministry further highlighted reforms introduced to strengthen passport administration and improve service delivery.

These include the introduction of chip-embedded passports, the establishment of Passport Application Centres across all 16 regions, 24-hour passport operations, free courier delivery and an electronic tracking system.

It also announced a reduction in the standard passport application fee from GH¢500 to GH¢350.

According to the Ministry, 754 Service Passports have been issued since 2025, compared with 3,174 between 2017 and 2024.

For Diplomatic Passports, the Ministry reported 1,944 issued since 2025, compared with 5,682 between 2017 and 2024.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, promising that anyone found responsible for undermining the credibility of Ghana’s travel documents would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

It maintained that the ongoing probe is focused on Service Passports and that the public should not mistake the investigation for evidence of the sale of Diplomatic Passports.

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