Foreign Affairs Ministry Sanctions Middleman in Fourth Estate Attestation Services Investigation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sanctioned a middleman captured in an undercover investigation by The Fourth Estate into attestation services by state institutions.
In a press statement issued on September 3, 2026, the Ministry said it became aware of an online report published on September 2, 2026, relating to the investigation, and commended The Fourth Estate for its work to enhance good governance, public accountability, and operational efficiency.
The Ministry maintained that it has a zero-tolerance policy on middlemen or third-party facilitators in the acquisition of attestation documents.
“The Ministry’s Management condemns the reported practice of unscrupulous middlemen without any official link to the Ministry whatsoever, who take advantage of vulnerable citizens,” the statement noted.
According to the Ministry, the individual implicated in the matter is not a staff member of the Ministry.
His respective institution has sanctioned him, law enforcement has been notified for further investigation and prosecution, and he has been prohibited from entering the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry explained that the attestation process involves multiple institutions across different arms of government and that efforts to strengthen multi-institutional integrity and coordination have been underway for months, as confirmed by the investigative report.
It further disclosed that it had been undertaking comprehensive reforms of its consular and attestation services even before the investigation, including making payment processes cashless and developing digital platforms to anchor the entire attestation process and drastically reduce human interface.
“We are confident that these reforms will produce desirable outcomes similar to what we have achieved with Passport Administration in Ghana,” it added.
The Ministry reiterated that the parliament-approved fee for attestation is GHS200, collected by officials of the Controller and Accountant-General who issue appropriate receipts, stressing that engaging middlemen is strictly illegal.
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