The handling of alleged irregularities in the issuance of diplomatic and service passports has come under fresh scrutiny, with Effia MP Isaac Yaw Boamah-Nyarko calling for Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to step aside to allow an independent investigation.
The MP argues that the minister’s handling of the controversy has raised questions about the credibility and impartiality of the ongoing investigations by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Speaking on Metro TV, Mr Boamah-Nyarko questioned why the minister had shifted attention to irregularities dating back to 2023 when the latest allegations concern passports allegedly issued in 2026.
He noted that the ministry had already undertaken a review of the 2023 cases and cancelled the affected passports following an exercise initiated in 2025.
He also raised concerns about the decision to interdict the Director of Passports and another officer, questioning whether the investigation was adequately examining the roles of other officials involved in the approval process.
According to the Effia MP, the actions taken so far have created suspicions about whether all persons who may have been involved are being subjected to the same level of scrutiny.
“Either he’s sitting there to do cover-up for his officers or there’s something that we are not being told,” he said.
Mr Boamah-Nyarko consequently argued that the minister should step aside while the allegations are investigated, or government should establish an independent body to examine the operations of the ministry.
He maintained that an investigation conducted independently of the ministry would help address concerns about possible conflicts of interest and strengthen public confidence in the outcome.
“The call for him to either step aside or for government to do an independent investigation into the activities of the Foreign Affairs Ministry is very critical because you can’t trust the conduct,” he added.
His comments add to the growing public debate over accountability and the handling of the diplomatic and service passport controversy.
