Finance

$38m Visa Processing Scandal: Ablakwa’s claims are misleading, mischievous – Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to claims made by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa relative to the application and processing of visas.

The Ministry in a press statement dated October 18, 2024, described Ablakwa’s assertions as misleading.

It clarified that the arrangement with Access Services is in line with global standard visa application processing.

“The arrangement with Access is in line with global standard visa application processing whereby receipt of applications and capturing of biometric data are carried out by third-party visa application centres,” the statement said.

Additionally, the Ministry explained that Ablakwa’s allegations regarding Access Citizens making about US$38.2 million between now and September 2028 are mischievous, as he failed to account for key costs such as taxes, capital, and recurrent expenses, among others.

“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.

“Interestingly, not included in the financial analysis are the taxes, capital and recurrent expenses that Access would incur between now and September 2028 as well as what percentage of the so-called projected revenue of US$ 38.2 million these expenses would constitute. By ignoring these key cost imperatives in any well-meaning analysis seems mischievous as adding them would clearly expose the intended mischief,” the statement added.

On October 17, 2024, Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed that he had intercepted contractual documents between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and a company known as Access Citizens Services Ghana Limited.

According to him, the document shows that Access Services will handle all front-end visa applications for people seeking Ghanaian visas worldwide.

Ablakwa further raised concerns that Access Citizens is set to rake in about US$38.2 million between now and September 2028, while Ghana’s Foreign Ministry would receive a mere US$2 million from that amount.

 

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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