Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Regional Integration Denies Ablakwa's Allegations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has denied allegations by North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, over a $38.2 million deal the Ministry reportedly entered with Access Services Ghana Limited for handling visa applications outside the country.

He said that the one-sided deal, not subjected to proper parliamentary and procurement approvals, was highly favorable to Access Services while offering the Ghana missions minimal financial returns. Ablakwa criticized the deal, saying that while Access would pocket $38.2 million, the Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs would take just $2 million in four years.

In a statement released on October 18, the Ministry further described these accusations as "largely incorrect and calculated to deliberately mislead the public." They established that Access Services Ghana offers value-added visa application services with its facilities and staff, at US$ 45, US$ 55, or € 55, depending on which country. Out of these, Ghana's diplomatic missions get $7, £7, or €7 per application, contrary to the MP's assertion that these payments were the sole income accruing to the missions.

According to the Ministry, this arrangement gives them an additional source of income and therefore does not deprive the missions. They reiterated that such an arrangement also aligns with international best practices, similar to what VFS Global and TLSContact are doing in their handling of visa affairs on behalf of foreign embassies resident in Ghana.

The Ministry, however, in its rejoinder, emphasized and clarified that this arrangement is consistent with international standards and is intended to offer benefits for both missions and visa applicants through streamlined processes, contrary to the misleading picture painted by Ablakwa.