The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced investigations into alleged corruption and irregularities in the issuance of Ghanaian Diplomatic and Service Passports, following claims that unqualified individuals obtained the travel documents through payments to officials within the passport administration system.
The investigation follows preliminary findings by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which identified 10 Service Passports allegedly issued irregularly between January 2023 and August 2026.
The Ministry also received two petitions alleging payments of US$29,000 and US$5,000 in connection with the suspected irregularities.
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In a statement issued on Monday, November 9, 2026, the OSP confirmed that it is investigating allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences arising from the suspected scheme.
As part of preliminary administrative actions, two serving officers have been interdicted and referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution.
The conduct of a former Director of Passports during the period under review is also expected to come under scrutiny.
The 10 Service Passports identified in the preliminary findings have reportedly been cancelled, while authorities are working to trace the beneficiaries, including individuals suspected of using the documents for international travel.
The OSP said its investigation would focus on establishing the roles of persons involved, tracing the alleged payments, examining the approval and issuance procedures and determining whether corruption or related offences have been committed.
The investigation comes amid mounting political controversy over allegations by the Minority in Parliament that officials within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Passport Office facilitated the sale of Diplomatic and Service Passports to unqualified individuals.
The Minority has alleged that approximately 300 Ghanaians travelled abroad using documents obtained through the suspected arrangement, raising concerns about the integrity of Ghana’s passport administration system and the potential security implications.
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that its preliminary findings relate specifically to Service Passports and that no evidence has so far emerged to establish that Diplomatic Passports were being sold.
The distinction between the two categories of travel documents has become central to the controversy, with the Minority demanding further investigations and accountability over the allegations.
The OSP emphasised that its investigation would focus on the management of public processes and the alleged offences.
It also assured the public that further information would be disclosed where appropriate, without compromising the ongoing investigation.
The latest development marks a significant escalation in the diplomatic and service passport controversy, moving the matter beyond parliamentary allegations and preliminary administrative inquiries to a formal anti-corruption investigation.