Passport controversy: NPP’s calls to blame Foreign Affairs Minister lack merit – Presidential aide

Presidential aide Dr Samuel Ayeh has dismissed accusations by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and members of Parliament to hold the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, responsible for irregularities in the issuance of 10 Service Passports. Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse, Dr Ayeh stated that the Minister possessed legal authority to grant diplomatic and service passports to individuals he deemed deserving.

He emphasized that Section 7 of the Travel and Passport Certificate Law gives the Minister the power to issue such passports to anyone he considers fit. Ayeh dismissed the notion that the Foreign Affairs Minister was at fault, asserting that the argument was unfounded and lacked merit. The controversy arose after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported preliminary findings of 10 Service Passports issued irregularly since 2023, involving alleged illegal payments to a syndicate.

The Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana, and Alhassan Sumani have been taken into custody and referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigation and potential prosecution. Ayeh questioned the necessity for the Minister to rely on officials at the Passport Office or the Chief Director to issue passports if he held such discretionary powers.

He dismissed the opposition's criticism as an attempt to tarnish the government's image, stating that it was "poor thinking" and a "shenanigan" designed to damage the government's reputation. The Minority has called for a parliamentary inquiry, while the Majority supports allowing the Ministry's committee to complete its investigation. The probe is ongoing.