The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has arrested 375 individuals suspected of being non-Ghanaians attempting to fraudulently obtain Ghanaian passports.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, addressing the media, said the arrests were made following an intelligence-led operation that uncovered a coordinated scheme by external actors to compromise Ghana’s passport system.
Over the past ten months, 379 Ghana Cards linked to these individuals have been seized, as authorities intensify efforts to protect national security and the integrity of the country’s passport issuance process.
“We are implementing enhanced security and verification protocols. Any foreigner caught attempting to acquire a Ghanaian passport will be arrested and prosecuted,” Mr. Ablakwa warned.
He noted that the surge in fraudulent attempts followed the lifting of U.S. visa restrictions on Ghana, prompting increased efforts by foreigners to exploit loopholes in the system.
The minister said that beyond the mandatory Ghana Card and vetting certificate, the Ministry has introduced additional layers of screening, including interviews and biometric cross-checks, to ensure only authentic Ghanaian citizens receive passports.
Mr. Ablakwa also disclosed findings from an internal audit that uncovered suspicious digital activity, where some mobile numbers were used to file multiple applications — in some cases, over 170 times.
“We identified one number that applied for 174 passports, others for 160 and 123. These are clearly fraudulent patterns. The numbers have been blocked, and their owners referred to National Security,” he said.
Under a new directive, no phone number can now be used for more than five applications. Exceptions will only be granted after a formal petition to the Minister in special cases.
The minister further revealed that all passport application centres nationwide are now digitally integrated using AI systems, enabling real-time tracking and cross-regional monitoring of applications.
“If a suspected foreigner tries to reapply in another region, the system will instantly flag and block the attempt. There’s now nowhere to hide,” Mr. Ablakwa emphasized.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the Ghanaian passport, stressing that the reforms are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public confidence and national security.