The Majority in Parliament has accused the former Akufo-Addo administration of being linked to alleged irregularities in the issuance of Ghanaian Service Passports, claiming the practice began in 2023.
The allegations follow a disclosure by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that preliminary investigations had uncovered the irregular issuance of 10 Service Passports to individuals who were not eligible to obtain them.
According to the Ministry, the passports were allegedly issued through a syndicate involving payments, with the irregularities dating back to 2023.
The Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana, and Alhassan Sumani have been interdicted and referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution.
However, the Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, Cletus Dapilah, has alleged that the previous administration recruited Alhassan Sumani, whom he described as a former “goro boy”, into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards the end of its tenure.
He claimed the recruitment was aimed at allowing Sumani to continue his alleged involvement in the irregular issuance of Ghanaian Service Passports.
“The NPP is funny. They are funny because you formed a cabal under your watch to perpetuate passport racketeering,” he said.
“Way back in your regime, you had that Alhassan Sumani guy as a goro boy working within Ministry staff. When they were exiting power, they recruited the guy.”
Mr Dapilah claimed to possess documentary evidence of Sumani’s recruitment, citing an appointment letter dated November 29.
“The guy was recruited on November 29th. That is when he has his appointment letter. I have the appointment letter of the guy on my phone. I can show it to you,” he said.
He further claimed that Sumani had been involved in the alleged passport irregularities since 2023, adding that his appointment at the Ministry towards the end of the previous administration enabled him to retain his influence in the process.
The allegations, however, have not been independently verified.
Mr Dapilah also alleged that the Chief Director’s signature was forged on documents used to facilitate the issuance of the Service Passports.
“As for the signature of the Chief Director, I can state categorically clear that it was a false signature, and all of this will be on air by the committee,” he said.
Mr Dapilah said preliminary information available to him as Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee pointed to Sumani as the alleged perpetrator of the forgery.
He stressed, however, that the claim was yet to be established through the ongoing investigations.
The Majority legislator also called on the Minority Caucus to exercise restraint and responsibility in its oversight duties, accusing its members of making allegations without adequate supporting evidence.
“The Minority, they should be very responsible opposition. They should be honest and candid with Ghanaians. They should not just think that opposition is throwing anything into the air or into the airwaves or into the populace. That is not responsible opposition,” he said.
He also opposed the Minority’s proposal for an ad hoc parliamentary committee to probe the matter, insisting that the investigative committee set up by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had the necessary mandate and capacity to handle the inquiry.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has clarified that the investigation centres on the issuance of Service Passports, stressing that there is currently no evidence to suggest that Ghanaian Diplomatic Passports are being sold.
While the Minority continues to push for a parliamentary inquiry, the Majority believes the Ministry’s investigative committee should be given the opportunity to complete its work.
Investigations remain ongoing, and the individuals mentioned in connection with the alleged irregularities have not been found culpable.
