Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed that 379 suspected foreigners have been arrested for illegally possessing Ghana Cards and attempting to secure Ghanaian passports.
He attributed the trend to the increasing value of the Ghanaian passport, which now allows visa-free travel to 42 countries, making it a target for fraudulent acquisition.
“Foreigners are trying to lay their hands on our passports, but we must be a step ahead. We are implementing a strict, no-nonsense approach. Any foreigner caught attempting to acquire a Ghanaian passport illegally will be arrested and prosecuted,” Mr Ablakwa stated.
To curb the abuse, the ministry has tightened passport application processes, restricting each mobile number to no more than five registrations. The Minister said the measure follows the discovery of repeated attempts using the same phone numbers, which have since been blocked.
He noted that the new system considers family structures and community demographics to ensure fairness while preventing exploitation.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the Ghanaian passport and national security, warning that offenders will face the full force of the law.
