The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has described as “mischief” claims made by the North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, regarding a visa processing agreement with Access Services Ghana Limited.
The ministry asserted that Mr. Ablakwa’s online publications intentionally distorted facts about the agreement, signed in August 2022.
It said the agreement aims to facilitate visa and consular services through premium application centres at Ghana’s Missions abroad, mirroring global standards.
In a statement, the ministry said similar services are already provided by companies like VFS Global and TLScontact to foreign embassies in Ghana, catering to citizens seeking to travel abroad.
It stated, “The arrangement with Access is in line with global standard visa application processing, whereby receipt of applications and biometric data capture are carried out by third-party visa application centres.”
The ministry emphasised that its Missions would maintain control over reviewing, vetting, and approving applications.
It said Ablakwa’s financial analysis, claiming Access would reap $38.2 million while the Foreign Ministry receives a mere $2 million, is “grossly misleading.”
The ministry pointed out that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP deliberately ignored taxes, capital expenses, and recurrent costs incurred by Access.
“By ignoring these key cost imperatives in any well-meaning analysis seems mischievous as adding them would clearly expose the intended mischief,” the ministry noted.
It explained that the agreement with Access allows the company to provide premium front-end application services using its own facilities and personnel.
The ministry added that the service fees vary depending on the country: US$45, US$55, or £55, with Ghana’s Missions receiving £7, US$7, or €7 from these fees, depending on the currency zone.
According to the ministry, these fees provide an additional revenue stream for Ghana’s Missions abroad, contradicting Ablakwa’s claim that Access payments constitute their only source of funds.
The ministry urged the public to take note of the explanation and disregard the publication which clearly seeks to misinform about its efforts to improve consular services in all its Missions abroad.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah