The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has said it is probing claims of Ghanaian passports issued to foreigners.

The Ministry said it will take appropriate measures to deal with the issue. 

It comes on the back of widespread social media reports that some foreign nationals living in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf States are in possession of Ghanaian passports. 

“The Ministry is investigating the said allegation and would take appropriate measures to deal with the situation if found to be true,” it said in a press statement.

The Ministry also explained that the processes for the current biometric passports being issued by the Passport Office are being scrutinised. 

According to the Ministry, new applicants will be made to go through rigorous vetting processes to make it practically impossible for unqualified persons including foreign nationals from acquiring Ghanaian passports.

It also said it is an offence under Ghanaian laws for foreigners to acquire Ghanaian passports. 

It insisted that persons found culpable will be arrested by security agencies and prosecuted. 

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to assure the general public that it would continue to adopt relevant measures in the issuance of Ghanaian passports in order to uphold and protect the integrity of the travel document,” it further added. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry also called on persons with credible evidence on foreigners in possession of Ghanaian passports to approach the Ministry for onward action.