The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to an undercover investigation by The Fourth Estate that found applicants seeking document attestation and validation services were being charged fees far above the officially approved rate through unofficial intermediaries operating in and around the Ministry’s premises.
In a press statement issued Thursday, September 3, 2026, and a personal statement from Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Ministry confirmed it maintains a zero-tolerance policy on middlemen, disclosed that the individual implicated in the investigation has been sanctioned and reported to law enforcement, and announced that comprehensive reforms already underway aim to make the attestation process cashless and largely digital.
What The Fourth Estate Found
The investigation, published online on September 2, 2026, uncovered alleged illegal charges imposed on applicants seeking attestation and validation of documents at the Ministry. Reporters found that some applicants were directed to unofficial intermediaries within the Ministry’s premises who charged fees substantially above the government-approved rate.
In one undercover operation, journalists encountered a man identified as Michael Gomeh, who allegedly charged an undercover reporter GH¢900 to facilitate the attestation of documents needed for a visa application, despite the official receipt subsequently issued showing a payment of just GH¢265.
The investigation found that a receptionist had directed the undercover applicant to Gomeh, who was wearing what appeared to be a staff identification tag, and that some applicants elsewhere in the investigation were charged as much as GH¢1,200 for the same service against an approved fee of GH¢200.
The documents were later returned within a week bearing official Ministry endorsements, despite what The Fourth Estate said was false information submitted as part of the undercover operation, raising separate questions about the effectiveness of the Ministry’s verification procedures.
The Ministry’s Response
The Ministry commended The Fourth Estate for its investigative work, saying such efforts contribute to good governance, public accountability and operational efficiency.
It reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on middlemen and third-party facilitators in the acquisition of attestation documents and said it remains committed to the highest standards of integrity, transparency and ethical service delivery.
Management condemned what it described as the activities of unscrupulous middlemen without any official link to the Ministry who take advantage of vulnerable citizens.
The statement confirmed that the individual implicated in the investigation is not a Ministry staff member, and that following a report on the undercover investigation, he was sanctioned by his own institution and reported to law enforcement for further investigation and possible prosecution.
He has also been prohibited from entering Ministry premises. Separate reporting has indicated the implicated individual holds a position with National Security, distinct from any Foreign Affairs Ministry role.
“We confirm that the gentleman engaged in the alleged nefarious activities is not a member of staff of our ministry and that he is facing sanctions, further investigation and likely prosecution. He has also been prohibited from entering our ministry. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains zero tolerance for the activities of unscrupulous middlemen.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Reforms Already Under Way
Both the Ministry’s statement and Hon Ablakwa’s personal remarks pointed to reform efforts predating the investigation.
The Ministry said it had been pursuing comprehensive reform of its consular and attestation services before the undercover work was conducted, including moving toward a cashless payment process and developing digital platforms intended to anchor the entire attestation process and drastically reduce human interface, the point of contact where the alleged overcharging occurred.
Hon Ablakwa drew a direct comparison to an earlier reform effort. “Comprehensive reforms are underway with all partner institutions to make the attestation process cashless, anchored on a digital platform and more efficient as we have remarkably done with Passport Application Processes,” he said, expressing confidence that the attestation reforms would produce results similar to the Ministry’s passport administration overhaul.
A Process Spanning Multiple Institutions
The Ministry noted that the attestation process involves multiple institutions across different arms of government, and that stronger coordination to enhance multi-institutional integrity and credibility has been under way for a considerable number of months, a point the investigative report itself had confirmed.
The Ministry reiterated that the parliamentary-approved fee for attestation is GH¢200, collected by officials of the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department who issue appropriate receipts, and stated plainly that no one should engage the services of middlemen, describing the practice as strictly illegal.
The Ministry provided contact channels for the public to report information, enquiries or complaints, listing two phone numbers and an email address, and directed its statement to all media houses.
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