The passport office’s staff has come under fire from Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey for allegedly engaging in corrupt practices that have damaged the office’s reputation.
The passport workers and “goro boys and girls” routinely demand money from applicants in order to expedite their services, which infuriated the minister.
According to Madam Botchwey, the passport office staff colludes with a cartel of “goro boys and girls” to rig the system.
She emphasized the necessity of sanitizing the passport system and, as a result, relieved the office’s staff members who had been seconded with effect from August 21.
The Foreign Affairs Minister bemoaned the accusations made against politicians when some members of the public and civil servants have actually been involved in corrupt practices.
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The minister stated that an investigation is ongoing, and if guilty, the offenders will face punishment.
Speaking to reporters, she said, “I told my officers to put up an online system, now the online system is being manipulated so that people can make money off it. There are investigations going on, and some names have been mentioned. There’s a cartel of people who are working with people from inside. Anybody who has been here for more than one year, from Monday on, please do not come back because you have been changed. We want to bring some sanity. Every time, we say, politicians are corrupt, meanwhile, it is some public and civil servants who will do things that shouldn’t be done, and then they will be put it on politicians. We are trying to bring sanity into the system but no”.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey also demands the dismissal of all employed security personnel working at the Accra Passport Office.
According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, the staff members have overstayed their welcome at the passport office.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey says it’s unacceptable for Ghanaians to pay more than GH3000 to obtain a passport in an interview with journalists following a surprise visit to the passport office.
