Jinapor, four NPP MPs seek bipartisan probe into alleged passport sales

Five NPP MPs, led by Damongo MP Samuel Abu Jinapor, are seeking a nine-member bipartisan committee to investigate the alleged sale and irregular issuance of Ghanaian diplomatic and service passports. Their proposed motion calls for members from both the Majority and Minority caucuses. The committee would examine alleged payments, false official designations and the role of public officers and intermediaries.

The other applicants are Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, Patrick Yaw Boamah, Laurette Asante Korkor and Daniel Nana Addo-Kenneth. The MPs want a review of all diplomatic and service passport approvals and issuances from January 7, 2025, to the motion’s adoption. The committee could also examine earlier records where relevant. The motion says the inquiry should “dispassionately and patriotically establish the facts” and give affected persons a fair opportunity to answer the allegations.

It cites approval letters issued between June and August 2026. These concern people described as officials of NADMO, the Fisheries Commission, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council and other public institutions. The applicants allege that some beneficiaries did not hold the positions attributed to them. They also cite accounts of payments to government officials through intermediaries.

The motion lists bank deposit slips and electronic transaction records as supporting exhibits. Their proposed motion calls for members from both the Majority and Minority caucuses. The committee would examine alleged payments, false official designations and the role of public officers and intermediaries. The other applicants are Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, Patrick Yaw Boamah, Laurette Asante Korkor and Daniel Nana Addo-Kenneth.

The MPs want a review of all diplomatic and service passport approvals and issuances from January 7, 2025, to the motion’s adoption. The committee could also examine earlier records where relevant. The motion says the inquiry should “dispassionately and patriotically establish the facts” and give affected persons a fair opportunity to answer the allegations.

It cites approval letters issued between June and August 2026. These concern people described as officials of NADMO, the Fisheries Commission, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council and other public institutions. The applicants allege that some beneficiaries did not hold the positions attributed to them. They also cite accounts of payments to government officials through intermediaries.

The motion lists bank deposit slips and electronic transaction records as supporting exhibits. The proposed committee would establish who received the payments and identify the ultimate beneficiaries. It would also investigate whether official assistance helped unqualified passport holders travel or evade immigration scrutiny. The MPs further cite reports that about 300 Ghanaians travelled to Europe using irregularly issued diplomatic and service passports.

That claim remains an allegation in the motion. The committee would have powers to summon witnesses, examine them under oath and demand financial records, passport files and electronic communications. Its final report would be due within 60 days of its first sitting. Parliament could grant one extension of up to 30 days. Pending the inquiry, the MPs want the Foreign Affairs Ministry to suspend the issuance of diplomatic and service passports.

They also seek to preserve relevant records and protect witnesses. The motion proposes public hearings, subject to national security and witness safety concerns. Any findings indicating criminal conduct would be referred to the relevant investigative authorities. The push follows renewed scrutiny of the misuse of official passports. In January 2025, the government ordered a recall of diplomatic and service passports issued under the previous administration to prevent abuse.

On November 8, 2026, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said it had cancelled 10 irregularly issued service passports. Two officers had also been interdicted and referred to police. The Ministry said two petitioners alleged payments of $29,000 and $5,000. However, it maintained that its investigation concerned service passports and that no evidence had emerged of diplomatic passport sales.