In a shocking revelation, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Chairman of the Assurances Committee of Parliament, has raised serious concerns over a recently uncovered visa processing contract scandal.
The agreement, signed between Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and Access Citizens Services Ghana Limited, according to Hon. Ablakwa is likely to cost the country millions in lost revenue while undermining national security and diplomatic functions.
“Intercepted agreements, internal memos and other documents of impeccable validity reveal that a few days ago, specifically on the 2nd of October, 2024, Ghana’s Foreign Ministry signed a fresh contract addendum with Access Citizens Services Ghana Limited to handle all front-end visa applications of people seeking Ghanaian visas everywhere in the world. Only a few protocol visas are exempted under the agreement”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Chairman of the Assurances Committee of Parliament
Hon. Ablakwa condemned the manner in which this deal was hurriedly negotiated as the current New Patriotic administration led by President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Bawumia approaches the end of its tenure.
He noted that the contract, like many other recent government deals, was shrouded in secrecy, bypassing proper procedures, violating the country’s procurement laws, and disregarding parliamentary oversight.
He expressed grave concern that key government stakeholders, including Ghana’s diplomatic missions, were left out of the decision-making process.
“The two parties have agreed to operate under these dubious terms until September 1, 2028, with the option for a five-year renewal,” he said, highlighting that Access Citizens Services will enjoy full exclusivity over Ghanaian visa applications during this period.
This, according to Hon. Ablakwa, raises troubling questions about the influence of the company and why the government would commit to such an opaque agreement.
Massive Financial Losses for Ghana
Moreover, the former Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament argued that the financial implications of the contract are equally alarming.
He pointed out that under the new agreement, visa applicants in the UK will pay £45, while applicants in the US, Germany, Italy, China, and other countries will pay $55 or €55, respectively.
He added that conservative estimates suggest that Access Citizens will rake in an estimated US$38.2 million by 2028, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs receiving only a paltry US$2 million—a mere fraction of the overall profits.
“From the unconscionable revenue sharing arrangement under the contract, Ghana’s Foreign Ministry will receive a paltry 3% to 10% of the fees from visa applicants.
“Shockingly, the contract does not impose any obligation on Access Citizens on the amount of money they must invest before making all those million-dollar profits.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Chairman of the Assurances Committee of Parliament
National Security and Diplomatic Risks
Beyond the financial losses, the National Democratic Congress lawmaker underscored the significant national security and data protection risks posed by this deal.
The agreement, he warned, threatens to compromise the integrity of Ghana’s diplomatic missions, as sensitive data will be handled by a private entity with no obligation to invest in national security infrastructure.
The lawmaker also noted that high-ranking diplomats and security officials have also voiced their opposition to the agreement, citing its potential to undermine the core functions of Ghanaian embassies.
Hon. Ablakwa emphasized that some missions, including those in Washington and Beijing, are leading the resistance against the contract, insisting that the current visa processing system works well and does not require the involvement of a third party.
Biased Terms and Barriers to E-Visas
Additionally, Hon. Ablakwa pointed out the lopsided terms in favor of Access Citizens, particularly concerning the introduction of e-visas.
According to the contract, Access Citizens must be informed if the governmefavournt decides to introduce e-visas, and they will have the first right to bid for the project
He pointed out that in the unfortunate instance their bid fails, the government will be forced to delay the implementation of e-visas until Access Citizens has met its profit projections—a clause that Hon. Ablakwa finds deeply troubling.
“What makes Access Citizens so powerful? How could any patriotic Ghanaian commit us to this!”, Hon, Ablakwa queried, demanding answers from government officials.
Procurement Violations and Single-Sourcing Concerns
Hon. Ablakwa’s statement further revealed that the deal was awarded through single sourcing without approval from the Public Procurement Authority, a blatant violation of Ghana’s procurement laws.
The contract, he noted, was signed by Ambassador Ramses J. Cleland, Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the direct orders of Foreign Minister Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
“Access Citizens Services Ghana Limited was first awarded a narrow contract on 20th August 2022 to provide premium service centre services, particularly for those desiring expedited visa and passport processing.
“Access Citizens was incorporated on 4th October 2021 — only 9 months before they were single-sourced for this contract. The company had no track record, however, it became the favourite of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Chairman of the Assurances Committee of Parliament
According to Hon. Ablakwa, the directors of Access Citizens are Nidal El Kammouni and Khaled Mkahal. He disclosed that since 2022, all efforts by Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee to obtain a copy of the agreement between the Foreign Ministry and Access Citizens were met with fierce stonewalling.
“I have now discovered from the contract that the Foreign Ministry agreed to a confidentiality clause which helps to keep this transaction in utmost secrecy. This is most unusual for public sector agreements where transparency and accountability ought to be the hallmark”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Chairman of the Assurances Committee of Parliament
The North Tongu MP noted that even though the Foreign Affairs Committee was never given a copy of the contract despite persistent requests, he has now intercepted both contracts and all relevant documents on the “sordid affair”.
The MP for North Tongu also highlighted the alarming fact that the 2022 contract recognizes that biometric devices, purchased at great cost to the taxpayer, would become obsolete under the Access Citizens agreement.
He added that these devices per the terms of the contract could be rented to the company—further evidence of the reckless nature of the deal.
Resistance from Diplomatic Missions and Calls for Accountability
Hon. Ablakwa commended the diplomatic missions resisting the contract, calling their opposition justified. “Many of our missions are rightfully kicking against this deal, and they have a point—there is no need to bring in Access Citizens when our current system is functioning well.”
The Chairman of the Parliament’s Assurances Committee concluded by announcing that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament would summon the Foreign Ministry and Access Citizens Services to answer for the multiple legal infractions, procurement violations, and lack of transparency surrounding the contract.
He assured Ghanaians that the caucus would continue to fight for accountability and ensure that future governments are not bound by such “obnoxious” terms.
“For God and Country. Ghana First,” he ended, promising that the fight for justice in this scandal would continue.
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