Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, has expressed her frustration towards individuals within the passport administration who are facilitating illegal processes for obtaining travel documents.
Addressing the media, she referred these individuals as ‘gorro people,’ noting that they receive substantial backing within the office.
According to the minister, it disheartening and concerning that her ministry is being accused of endorsing unlawful activities while she strives to enhance its reputation.
“This cannot continue, I always say that there’s too much happening which should not happen in the passport acquisition system. If we talk about goro people, there goro people are outsiders because they do not work on their own because if the goro person collects somebody’s money they need to work with somebody from inside to change the date etc. The blame is always on the Minister of Foreign affairs meanwhile its the agency and some of our staff,” she added.
She emphasized that, with the assistance of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the ministry introduced an online platform to streamline passport acquisition.
Nevertheless, certain persistent individuals have posed challenges to the process.
“The vice president has led the digitilization efforts with my support and all my officers to put in place an online system, now the online system is being manipulated so that people can make money.
“She further criticized public servants who should be providing services to Ghanaians, lamenting that despite the Vice President’s efforts to digitalize the system with her support, some individuals manipulate the online platform for personal gains,”she added.
She also threatened to take action against those caught engaging in such practices to prevent their recurrence.
The minister revealed that an ongoing investigation has identified names, including individuals from an external cartel collaborating with insiders.
“There’s an investigation going on and some names have been mentioned and there are people from outside a catel who are working with people from inside.