In an intensifying probe, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency has raised fresh alarms about the $38.2 million visa processing scandal currently embroiling Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Hon. Ablakwa, who also doubles as the Chairman of Parliament’s Assurances Committee revealed shocking details from internal memos that underscore high-level concerns within the Ministry itself over a midnight contract awarded to Access Citizens, a private company, for the processing of Ghanaian visas.
“As we await the Foreign Ministry’s response to the 12 fundamental questions I posed on the 20th of October, 2024 regarding the US$38.2million Visa Processing Scandal, more intercepted internal memos on the sleazy midnight contract reveals that multiple top officials at the Ministry had expressed grave concerns about the opaque deal”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu Constituency
Among the gravest concerns, the National Democratic Congress lawmaker noted that officials within the Foreign Ministry warned of potential judgment debts, which could bring heavy financial consequences if the contract is disputed or annulled.
The memos specifically raised alarms over Access Citizens’ demand for exclusive rights to process visas, which some officials fear could limit Ghana’s plans to implement e-visas and visa-on-arrival systems.
This restriction, Hon. Ablakwa argued, represents a significant barrier to Ghana’s modernization in visa issuance, stifling progress for short-term profits by Access Citizens.
Additionally, Hon. Ablakwa highlighted officials’ data privacy concerns, pointing to possible violations of Ghana’s data protection laws in allowing a third-party firm to handle sensitive biometric information.
According to him, the Ministry was cautioned that the arrangement could expose the personal information of visa applicants, compromising their privacy without adequate safeguards.
An “Insulting” Revenue Arrangement and Dubious Rental Provisions
One of the most contentious elements in the contract is the proposed revenue-sharing structure. Hon. Ablakwa revealed that Access Citizens, under the terms of the agreement, would retain 98% of the visa processing revenue, leaving the Foreign Ministry with a mere 2%.
He labeled this distribution as “insulting,” characterizing it as a lopsided deal that serves private interests while shortchanging the state.
This arrangement, according to Hon. Ablakwa, undermines the Ministry’s role in visa issuance, effectively turning it into a subordinate in a process it should command.
Moreover, the contract includes provisions that would allow Access Citizens to rent biometric devices from Ghana’s embassies and consulates at the paltry rate of $200 per month, further incensing Ablakwa.
He described the provision as “unconscionable,” contending that it undervalues Ghana’s technological assets and threatens to turn the Ministry’s equipment into “profit centres” for private enrichment at state expense.
A Call for Transparency and Accountability
In his statement, Hon. Ablakwa vowed to maintain rigorous oversight of what he deems a “patriotic war against naked corrosive State Capture,” indicating his commitment to prevent any attempts to retroactively justify the contract’s questionable terms.
“We are keenly monitoring with eagle eyes the clandestine attempts to belatedly rectify the litany of legal and procedural infractions,” Hon. Ablakwa said, signalling his intent to reveal any further actions by the Ministry to cover up or amend the deal’s flaws signalling
As the North Tongu MP pressed for transparency, he called on the Foreign Ministry to provide clear answers to his twelve detailed questions regarding the contract’s integrity, legality, and potential ramifications for Ghana.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Ablakwa affirmed his dedication to holding state actors accountable, declaring, “Nothing can stop this patriotic war against naked corrosive State Capture.”
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