Foreign Affairs Ministry rejects diplomatic passport sale claims amid service passport fraud probe

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has rejected allegations that the country’s diplomatic passports can be purchased, according to its own statements. Officials claim the ongoing fraud investigation is solely focused on illegal service passport issuance. The probe was launched after authorities discovered unauthorized passport processing.

No connection between high-level diplomatic credentials and the compromised network has been established. Preliminary findings show several ineligible individuals received service passports through alleged payments to an internal syndicate. The investigation began following two petitions detailing corruption within the system. One petitioner claimed paying $29,000 in 2023 for credentials, while another alleged paying $5,000 in 2026.

The Ministry released a clarification on November 8, 2026, stating no evidence exists that Ghana’s diplomatic passports are for sale. They urged the public to maintain clear distinctions between document classifications. Ten service passports were found to be fraudulently issued during the initial probe and immediately canceled.

The officials responsible for the scheme have been interdicted and referred to law enforcement. The Ministry pledged that those implicated will face prosecution. Historical data shows 1,397 service passports were issued between 2009 and 2016, 3,174 between 2017 and 2024, and 754 since 2025. 2,899 diplomatic passports were issued during the same periods.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and fairness in the judicial process as state prosecutors take over the case.