Change Ghanaian passport acquisition processes - Ablakwa

The claim that a notorious Nigerian kidnapper and drug trafficker, Chikwudubem Onwuamadike arrested by Nigerian Police Force has a family in Ghana and possesses a Ghanaian passport calls for a change in the processes of acquiring passports in the country Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongue Constituency Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has suggested.

“We have known for some time now that the vetting process has been very weak especially when it comes to the point of providing nationality in acquisition of a passport ” the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, stated.

The Inspector General of Police for Nigeria Police Force, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris at a news conference revealed the suspect who also goes by name Evans has both Ghanaian passport and Nigerian passport.

Speaking on Top Story on Tuesday, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament stated “it is possible he has a Ghanaian passport and Nigerian passport [because] the laws allow that” calling for change in the processes of acquiring passport in the country.

“The weakest link so far has been the birth certificate because before you qualify to receive a Ghanaian passport you must prove that you are either a Ghanaian or you are a dual citizen entitled to be issued with the passport ….and we know that our Birth and Death Registry is the weakest in the chain and probably work have to be done in strengthening the Birth and Death Registry” “That is why work the in current government ought to be supported so far as the issuing of the national ID is concerned. We need a national ID which will take over from the Birth and Death easily acquired birth certificates”

“Having a birth certificate should not be enough. You should have new biometric ID and that will prevent foreigners from acquiring passports in a fraudulent manner”. he said