Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has expressed worry on a rumored scandal involving Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in the processing of visas.
He claims that just weeks before departing office, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration hurriedly signed a dubious contract for visa processing, generating concerns among different stakeholders.
On Thursday, October 17, Mr. Ablakwa remarked on social media that diplomats and security personnel are extremely incensed about the contract with Access Citizens Services Ghana Limited.
He issued a warning, saying that the agreement might have a negative impact on data security, national security, and the financial standing of Ghana’s diplomatic outposts overseas.
With the exception of protocol visas, Access Citizens Services Ghana Limited is given the only authority to handle all front-end visa applications worldwide under the terms of the agreement, which was signed on October 2, 2024.
Mr. Ablakwa criticized this action, pointing out that it consolidates the processing of visas under one organization, potentially harming the nation’s diplomatic efforts.
Furthermore, he made clear that within four months of the company opening Premium Application Centers in each nation, Ghana’s diplomatic posts will have to hand over visa processing duties to Access Citizens.
Mr. Ablakwa is demanding an immediate examination of the contract and its ramifications for Ghana’s foreign policy since he feels that this choice is rife with problems.
He disclosed:
The agreement raises major concerns about data protection, national security, and a crude undermining of key functions of Ghana’s diplomatic missions. Interestingly, the two parties have agreed to operate under the new dubious terms until September 1, 2028, with the option for another 5-year renewal. Access Citizens, under this new agreement, will enjoy absolute exclusivity.”
“Access Citizens insist that they must be allowed to exclusively process a forecasted minimum of 695,468 visas between September 1, 2023, and September 1, 2028, which has been gladly granted by Ghana’s Foreign Ministry. 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,”
“Visa applicants in the United Kingdom will now pay £45. Visa applicants in the United States of America will pay $55; visa applicants in Germany and Italy will pay €55; visa applicants in China will pay $55, and visa applicants in all other jurisdictions will pay $55. Conservative financial analysis shows that Access Citizens will be raking in about $38.2 million between now and September 2028, while Ghana’s Foreign Ministry struggles to get a measly $2 million out of that,”
