The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has begun investigations into the alleged issuance of Ghanaian passports to foreigners.
The ministry called on persons with credible evidence on foreigners in possession of Ghanaian passports to approach the ministry for onward action.
This follows reports on social media that some foreign nationals living in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf States are in possession of Ghanaian passports.
“The ministry is investigating the said allegation and would take appropriate measures to deal with the situation if found to be true,” a statement from the ministry said.
The ministry explained that the processes for the current biometric passports being issued by the Passport Office are being scrutinised, with applicants going through rigorous vetting processes which make it practically impossible for unqualified persons including foreign nationals to acquire Ghanaian passports.
It also noted that, it is an offence under Ghanaian laws for foreign nationals to acquire Ghanaian passports, with those found to have engaged in such criminal acts arrested by security agencies and prosecuted thereafter.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to assure the general public that it would continue to adopt relevant measures in the issuance of Ghanaian passports in order to uphold and protect the integrity of the travel document,” it further added.
It also cautioned against unfounded claims of such activities on social media.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri