The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has categorically denied allegations of a $38.2 million contract with Access Services Ghana Limited.

These accusations were made by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, who claimed the Ministry had signed a questionable deal with the company to manage visa applications for Ghana's diplomatic missions abroad.

Ablakwa further alleged that Access Services Ghana Limited lacked experience in the field and that the contract was awarded without approval from the Public Procurement Authority, raising concerns about transparency and value for money.

He also pointed out that parliamentary approval was not sought before finalizing the agreement.

In response, the Ministry issued a statement on Friday, October 18, describing the MP's claims as "largely incorrect" and "calculated to mislead the public."

They emphasised that the necessary procedures were followed in awarding the contract and that Ablakwa’s allegations were unfounded.

The Ministry reassured the public that all agreements, including the one in question, were entered into with proper diligence, aiming to improve the efficiency of visa processing for Ghana's diplomatic missions globally.

“The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has been drawn to online publications by Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for the North Tongu Constituency, on the above-mentioned subject."

“The article purported to give details of an agreement between the Ministry and Access Services Ghana Limited (Access). The Ministry wishes to put across that the facts as purported in the said article are largely incorrect and calculated to deliberately mislead the public on the intent of the Ministry.”

The Ministry dismissed as highly misleading the claims that Access Citizens would earn approximately US$ 38.2 million by September 2028, while Ghana’s Foreign Ministry would receive only a modest US$ 2 million from the deal.

“The claim by Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that per his 'conservative financial analysis Access Citizens would be raking about US$ 38.2 million between now and September 2028 while Ghana’s Foreign Ministry struggles to get a measly US$ 2 million out of that is grossly misleading.”