- Ghana signs questionable visa processing contract
- MP Ablakwa alleges national security risk
- Access Citizens to earn $38.2M from visa fees
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has raised alarm over a questionable visa processing contract between Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and Access Citizens Services Ghana Limited.
In a social media post on Thursday, October 17, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that the contract, signed on October 2, 2024, grants Access Citizens Services Ghana Limited exclusive rights to handle all front-end visa applications globally, except protocol visas. This move has ignited significant outrage among diplomats and security officials.
Mr. Ablakwa warned that this deal could have serious implications for national security, data protection, and the financial interests of Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad. He criticized the centralization of visa processing under a single entity, which could be detrimental to the country’s diplomatic operations.
Furthermore, Ghana’s diplomatic missions will be obligated to transfer visa processing responsibilities to Access Citizens within four months of the company’s establishment of Premium Application Centers in each country. Mr. Ablakwa believes this decision is fraught with issues and has called for urgent scrutiny of the contract and its implications for Ghana’s foreign affairs.
“The agreement raises major concerns about data protection, national security, and a crude undermining of key functions of Ghana’s diplomatic missions,” Mr. Ablakwa stated. “Interestingly, the two parties have agreed to operate under the new dubious terms until September 1, 2028, with the option for another 5-year renewal. Access Citizens, under this new agreement, will enjoy absolute exclusivity.”
He added, “Access Citizens insist that they must be allowed to exclusively process a forecasted minimum of 695,468 visas between September 1, 2023, and September 1, 2028, which has been gladly granted by Ghana’s Foreign Ministry. From the unconscionable revenue sharing arrangement under the contract, Ghana’s Foreign Ministry will receive a paltry 3% to 10% of the fees from visa applicants.”
Mr. Ablakwa also disclosed the varying fees visa applicants will pay in different countries, including £45 in the United Kingdom, $55 in the United States of America, €55 in Germany and Italy, and $55 in China and all other jurisdictions. He noted that conservative financial analysis shows Access Citizens will rake in approximately $38.2 million between now and September 2028, while Ghana’s Foreign Ministry struggles to get a measly $2 million.
This development has sparked concerns about the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration’s haste in signing the contract just weeks ahead of leaving office.
