By: Hannah Dadzie
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong warning to the public against relying on unverified information or dealing with unauthorized intermediaries in matters relating to the Ministry’s services. In a statement, the Ministry stressed that the submission of forged or fraudulent documents is a criminal offence and will be reported to law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.
It reminded the public that official information and service updates are only available on the Ministry’s official website, accredited media outlets, and verified social media platforms. The Ministry emphasized that individuals seeking consular or other services must deal directly with designated officers at the Ministry or its accredited Missions abroad. Any suspicious activity or suspected fraud should be reported immediately to the Ministry or the nearest Ghana Mission.
To prevent fraud and ensure proper service delivery, the Ministry advises the public to follow these guidelines:
• Do not make payments to unauthorized individuals.
• Report any suspicious activity or demands for additional payment immediately to the Ministry through official contact channels.
• All official information and service updates are published on the Ministry’s website, verified social media platforms, and in accredited electronic and print media.
• Individuals seeking services should deal directly with designated officers at the Ministry or accredited Missions abroad.
The Ministry also clarified the procedures and fees for specific consular services provided at its headquarters. The fee for Attestation/Legalization of Documents, Travel Certificates, and Laissez-Passers is GH¢200.00 each.
For Attestation/Legalization of Documents, applicants must submit original documents verified by the Judicial Service of Ghana, along with a valid ID, to the Consular and Humanitarian Affairs Bureau. The payment of GH¢200.00 must be made in cash only to the official from the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department at the designated payment point within the Ministry’s premises. An official receipt is then submitted with the documents for processing, which takes five working days.
Applicants for a Travel Certificate must submit the following to the Consular and Humanitarian Affairs Bureau:
• The bio-data page of a valid or expired passport.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs.
• A flight itinerary.
• A signed application letter stating the purpose of travel.
Before submitting an application, individuals should verify with their airline whether Travel Certificates are accepted for boarding, as policies can vary. The GH¢200.00 fee must be paid in cash to the designated official from the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department at the payment point, and the receipt is then presented with the application for processing, which takes two to three working days.
For a Laissez-Passer, applicants are required to submit an application letter, a parental consent letter, the vehicle’s registration number, a Ghana card or passport bio-data page, and the driver’s passport bio-data page. The processing fee is GH¢200.00. After paying at the designated point and receiving a receipt, the documents are submitted to the Consular and Humanitarian Affairs Bureau for processing.
The Ministry assured the public of its commitment to delivering efficient, transparent, and client-friendly services both in Ghana and abroad.
For further enquiries, the public is encouraged to contact the Consular and Humanitarian Affairs Bureau on +233 20 455 2750 or via email at consular@mfa.gov.gh.
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