The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed that 379 individuals, suspected to be non-Ghanaians, have been apprehended for unlawfully possessing Ghana Cards and attempting to acquire Ghanaian passports. According to Sector Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the spike in such cases is linked to the growing value of the Ghanaian passport, which now grants visa-free access to 42 countries. He noted that the Ministry has implemented robust security protocols to counter fraudulent attempts.
“There is a growing trend of foreigners seeking to obtain our passports. We must stay ahead of this threat. That is why we have introduced a series of enhanced security measures. I can assure you that we are adopting a zero-tolerance stance—any foreign national who attempts to acquire our passport illegally will be swiftly arrested and prosecuted,” Mr. Ablakwa stated.
In a move to tighten security, the ministry has also restricted mobile phone numbers used for passport applications. “No mobile phone number will be allowed to register for more than five passport applications. We detected a trend of multiple attempts by the same numbers, and these numbers have now been blocked in our system,” the Minister explained.
Ablakwa further noted that the new measures consider community demographics, the average number of minors, and parental responsibilities, aiming to prevent exploitation of the system. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ghanaian passports and national security, warning that anyone found violating these measures would face prosecution.
Source: Sheba Araba Bennin
