{
  "id": 5355587,
  "title": "Foreign Affairs Ministry commends Fourth Estate over attestation investigation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/foreign-affairs-ministry-commends-fourth-estate-over-attestation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T15:17:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/foreign-affairs-ministry-commends-fourth-estate-over-attestation-investigation/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has praised The Fourth Estate for an investigative report into the country's attestation process, according to a September 3, 2026 press release. The Ministry announced plans to enhance the service and curb the influence of middlemen who exploit vulnerable citizens. In a statement, the Ministry expressed appreciation for The Fourth Estate's investigative work, stating that such efforts promote good governance, accountability, and better service delivery. The Ministry clarified that the individual allegedly involved in the investigation is not an employee of their department and has been sanctioned by his institution and reported to law enforcement. The Ministry reiterated its zero-tolerance stance towards middlemen and third-party facilitators, stating that their activities undermine the process. The Ministry revealed that reforms are being implemented to make the attestation process more efficient, including cashless payments and digital platforms. The new system aims to reduce human interaction, similar to improvements seen in Ghana's passport administration. The Ministry stressed that the attestation fee of GH¢200 must be paid directly to the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department and warned against using middlemen, which is strictly illegal. The Ministry encouraged the public to report any concerns related to the attestation process.",
  "summary": "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commended The Fourth Estate for its investigative report into the attestation process, while announcing measures to improve the service and prevent the activities of middlemen. The Ministry, in a press statement issued on Thursday, September 3, 2026, acknowledged an online report published by The Fourth Estate on September 2 … The post Foreign Affairs Ministry…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Foreign Affairs Ministry bans alleged middleman after The Fourth Estate investigation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/foreign-affairs-ministry-bans-alleged-middleman-after-the-fourth",
        "published": "2026-09-03T10:42:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf Times",
        "title": "Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs meets Syrian Minister of Economy, Trade",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/minister-of-state-for-foreign-trade-affairs-meets-syrian-minister-of",
        "published": "2026-09-03T11:07:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Foreign Affairs Ministry responds to Fourth Estate attestation investigation, bars middleman from premises",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/foreign-affairs-ministry-responds-to-fourth-estate-attestation",
        "published": "2026-09-03T11:17:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Peninsula Qatar",
        "title": "Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs meets Syrian Minister of Economy, Trade",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/minister-of-state-for-foreign-trade-affairs-meets-syrian-minister-of-5323751",
        "published": "2026-09-03T11:51:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Islamic Affairs Ministry records recitations by top global Quran readers at King Fahd Complex studio",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/islamic-affairs-ministry-records-recitations-by-top-global-quran",
        "published": "2026-09-03T12:02:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}