Samuel Abu Jinapor files motion to probe diplomatic passport sales

Five Members of Parliament from the Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus have filed a private member's motion seeking a bipartisan investigation into the alleged sale and irregular issuance of Ghanaian diplomatic and service passports. The group, led by Damongo MP Samuel Abu Jinapor, is calling for the establishment of a nine-member ad hoc committee to probe claims of bribery, corruption, and the use of deceitful official designations to secure high-level travel documents for ineligible individuals. The motion proposes that the committee includes members from both the Majority and Minority caucuses to ensure a balanced inquiry.

The motion identifies a series of irregularities occurring since January 7, 2025, including reports of passports being issued to persons falsely represented as officials from various state institutions. Alongside Mr. Jinapor, the petitioning lawmakers include Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, Patrick Yaw Boamah, Laurette Asante Korkor, and Daniel Nana Addo-Kenneth. They allege that intermediaries have facilitated payments to public officials in exchange for these documents, a practice they warn could compromise the integrity of Ghana’s passport system and erode the trust of foreign authorities in the country's travel documents.

As an interim measure, the MPs are urging President John Mahama to consider the immediate suspension of all diplomatic and service passport issuances until the parliamentary inquiry is concluded. They also advocate for the suspension of any officials found responsible for overseeing the alleged scheme. The proposed committee would be granted powers to summon witnesses, demand relevant documentation, and hold public hearings to address possible criminal conduct, with a mandate to deliver a comprehensive report to the House within 60 days of its first sitting.

This legislative move follows preliminary findings by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has already flagged several irregularly issued passports. The Office of the Special Prosecutor is also reportedly investigating systemic abuses within the passport issuance framework. By seeking a bipartisan probe, the NPP lawmakers aim to ensure a transparent review of all approvals granted during the current administration's tenure, emphasizing the need for legal accountability and the protection of witnesses who come forward with evidence of misconduct.