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El Samuels: MBN360
Ghana’s government has taken a strong stance against passport and Ghana Card fraud, with 379 foreigners arrested for attempting to obtain these critical documents through illicit means. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, revealed that these individuals were caught trying to use Ghana Cards to apply for Ghanaian passports, with investigations confirming they were not Ghanaian citizens.
The increasing value of the Ghanaian passport, which now grants visa-free access to 42 countries, has likely contributed to the surge in such incidents. To combat this, the government has introduced enhanced security measures, including restrictions on passport registration. For instance, no mobile phone number can register more than five passport applications, and community demographics and family structures are being considered to prevent system abuse.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has also begun prosecuting foreign nationals attempting to illegally acquire Ghana Cards, with offenders facing imprisonment and deportation. Ghanaian citizens who vouch for foreigners in Ghana Card registrations are also being targeted, with 20 people currently being prosecuted.
These efforts demonstrate Ghana’s commitment to protecting its national identity and security.
