Foreign Ministry launches hotlines to report ‘corrupt practices’ at passport centres

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced hotlines for the public to report corrupt practices at the various Passport Application Centres (PAC) nationwide.

This is in a bid to address growing concerns over inadequate services and alleged misconduct at the various centres.

Recent reports of extortion and mistreatment lodged by passport applicants have prompted the Ministry to take swift action.

A press release issued by the ministry acknowledges the gravity of these complaints and asserts the need for immediate intervention.

The ministry underscores its commitment to rectifying the situation by encouraging affected individuals to come forward and report incidents of mistreatment or extortion they may have experienced during their interactions at PACs.

This initiative is also part of a broader effort to foster transparency, accountability, and improved service delivery within the passport application process.

It will be recalled that the sector minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, visited one of the centres in Accra on August 14, 2023, to assess the situation firsthand.

During her visit, the minister expressed deep concern regarding the reported collaboration between certain staff members and intermediaries colloquially referred to as “Goro boys,” who are allegedly involved in corrupt activities.

Taking a decisive stance against such malpractice, the minister took immediate action by terminating the employment of five staff members who were implicated in activities that brought disrepute to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Madam Ayorkor Botchwey further said that officers who have served more than a year at PAC will be replaced with immediate effect.

The ministry used the opportunity to urge all prospective applicants to use the official channel to acquire their passports and desist from engaging unauthorised persons.

Below is a statement to that effect.