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2 clusters · 23 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Ghana passport sale investigation

Overview

Yahaya Amantana Mahama, the Director of Passports at Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was interdicted following allegations of irregularities regarding the sale of service and diplomatic passports to unauthorized individuals. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa ordered the interdiction to facilitate an inquiry led by a five member committee chaired by Ambassador Alexander Grant. Subsequent investigation findings revealed that 10 service passports, issued between January 2023 and August 2026, were allegedly obtained through an illegal payment scheme involving amounts between US$5,000 and US$29,000. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cancelled these documents and notified international partners.

In addition to the interdiction of Mahama Yahaya Amantana, junior Foreign Service Officer Alhassan Sumani has been interdicted and referred to the Ghana Police Service. Sumani has been identified in petitions as the “alleged chief architect of the syndicate.” Authorities have also announced that retired Ambassador Mohammed Habib Idris, who served as Director of Passports in 2023, will be investigated by security services. The investigation was prompted by two petitions received in October 2026, with one petitioner claiming to have paid US$29,000 in 2023 and another alleging a US$5,000 payment in 2026.

The scope of the scandal has expanded following claims by the Minority in Parliament, who allege approximately 300 Ghanaians may have used such passports to travel to Europe and other destinations. While the Minority has called for a parliamentary probe, the Majority has rejected these calls, suggesting that accountability institutions should complete their work first. Additionally, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has launched a probe to examine the approval and issuance processes.

Entities

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa · Mahama Yahaya Amantana · James Agalga · Alhassan Sumani · Office of the Special Prosecutor

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 22 sources
    Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs interdicts officials over passport scheme

    Ghana's Foreign Affairs Ministry has interdicted two officials and cancelled 10 service passports following an alleged scheme involving illegal payments for travel documents.

  2. [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Ghana Passport Director interdicted amid sale probe

    Ghana's Passport Director, Yahaya Amantana Mahama, has been interdicted as authorities investigate allegations regarding the unauthorized sale of service and diplomatic passports.

Sources

3news.com · adomonline.com · chale.news · dailyguidenetwork.com · europesays.com · ghanaguardian.com · ghanaiantimes.com.gh · ghanamma.com · ghananewss.com · ivoireactu.net · kessbenonline.com · metrotvonline.com · myjoyonline.com · mynewsgh.com · myrepubliconline.com · newscenta.com · norvanreports.com · otecfmghana.com · rainbowradioonline.com · theghanareport.com · theheraldghana.com · thevaultznews.com · topfmonline.com

This summary has been updated 5 times: see revision history