By Godwill Arthur-Mensah, GNA
Accra, Nov. 6, GNA – Mr James Agalga, the Majority Leader, has assured Parliament that no individual implicated in the alleged sale of Ghanaian service and diplomatic passports would be shielded from investigations.Â
He gave the assurance in response to a call by Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to brief the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs on the matter.
Addressing the House on Friday, Mr Agalga said the government had initiated steps to investigate the allegations, noting that a Director of Passports at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, identified as Yahaya Amantana Mahama, had been interdicted to facilitate the ongoing investigations.
He said the interdiction demonstrated the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, adding that there was no cause for alarm as the relevant state institutions were handling the matter.
The Majority Leader reiterated that the investigations would be conducted without fear or favour and that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The alleged sale of service and diplomatic passports has generated public concern, with calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances under which the passports were allegedly issued or transferred to unauthorised persons.
Service passports are generally issued to public officials travelling on official state assignments, while diplomatic passports are reserved for diplomats and other authorised state officials.
Any misuse or unauthorised acquisition of such passports constitutes a serious breach of state regulations and national security protocols.
Mr Afenyo-Markin urged the Foreign Affairs Minister to update Parliament on developments and measures being taken to safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s passport issuance system.
He said Parliament had a responsibility to protect public confidence in state institutions and called for transparency in handling the allegations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to continue its investigations and provide further updates as the probe progresses.
GNA
Edited by Audrey Dekalu
Reporter: Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Email: [email protected]