Fake Visa Applicantions, Foreign Ministry Is Embarrassed

Accra, Aug. 14, - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today expressed concern about the increasing number of public officials who make dubious representations to acquire visas. A release signed in Accra by Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, Minister responsible for Foreign Affairs, said a number of public officials continue to make dubious representations to Diplomatic missions in Ghana and to Ghana's Diplomatic Missions abroad requesting visas for themselves, relations and friends or soliciting invitations or favours. Citing three instances, the Minister said a member of Parliament sought for and obtained through the Ministry visas for himself and a woman whom he described as his wife for a European country. The woman turned out to be somebody who had earlier been deported from that European country for illegal residence and for contracting a marriage of convenience. The woman is currently under arrest in that country. Mr Ahwoi said in the second incident, some chiefs made fraudulent representations to the Chieftaincy Secretariat and managed to secure visas to a European country through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said this has caused considerable embarrassment to the Government. In third incident, a member of Parliament who is not a Minister of State is alleged to have falsely misrepresented himself to a European NGO as a Minister of State and solicited an invitation to an Agricultural Fair for himself and two of his constituents. The letter was referred to the ministry for verification where the claim has been established to be false. The MP has since denied knowledge of the letter, claiming that it was forged. "This Ministry wishes to point out that such misrepresentations are a source of embarrassment both to itself and to the government. They also cause unnecessary suspicions and delays when legitimate requests are officially made. ''The Ministry therefore advises and warns all public officials and parliamentarians that henceforth any such false representation that comes to its notice will be made public and criminal action brought against the perpetrators.''

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