Africa-Press – Ghana. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cautioned the public against engaging with unauthorized agents, relying on unverified information, or submitting fraudulent documents in matters relating to its services.
The Ministry said the rising risks of misinformation and fraudulent dealings necessitated a renewed public alert, and that the submission of forged or fraudulent documents constituted a criminal offence and would be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
According to the Ministry, all official information, service updates, and clarifications were only available through its official website, accredited print and electronic media outlets, and verified social media platforms.
Individuals seeking services such as attestation and legalization of documents, travel certificates, or laissez-passers are therefore urged to deal directly with designated officers at the Ministry’s headquarters in Accra or at its accredited Missions abroad.
The Ministry further advised the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, including demands for unauthorized payments, to its offices in Ghana or the nearest Ghana Mission abroad for verification and follow-up action.
It noted that under no circumstances should members of the public make payments to unauthorized individuals or middlemen.
Such practices, the Ministry warned, not only exposed applicants to exploitation but also undermined transparency in service delivery.
Payments must only be made in cash at the designated payment point located within its premises and received exclusively by an official from the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department.
Applicants are then issued with an official receipt, which they are required to submit together with their application documents for processing. The Ministry said this system was instituted to ensure accountability and eliminate opportunities for fraud.
To provide clarity and consistency in service delivery, the Ministry outlined the official fees and processing timelines for services rendered at its headquarters.
Attestation and legalization of documents attract a fee of GH¢200.00, with processing completed within five working days.
A Travel Certificate also costs GH¢200.00 and is processed within two to three working days, while the same fee and timeframe apply for a Laissez-Passer.
Any deviation from these official charges or timelines, the Ministry emphasized, should be reported immediately for redress.
Applicants seeking attestation or legalization of documents are required to submit original documents duly verified by the Judicial Service of Ghana, along with a valid form of identification.
Payment of the approved GH¢200.00 fee must be made at the designated payment point, after which the receipt and verified documents are presented to the Consular and Humanitarian Affairs Bureau for processing.
In the case of Travel Certificates, applicants are required to submit the bio-data page of a valid or expired passport, two recent passport-sized photographs, a flight itinerary, and a signed application letter stating the purpose of travel.
Before submission, applicants must confirm with the relevant airline whether Travel Certificates are accepted for boarding, as airline policies may vary.
Once confirmed, the processing fee of GH¢200.00 is paid at the Ministry’s payment point, after which the receipt and all documents are presented to the Bureau for processing.
For a Laissez-Passer, applicants must submit an application letter, a parental consent letter where applicable, the registration number of the vehicle, the Ghana Card or passport bio-data page, and the driver’s passport bio-data page.
The approved fee is then paid in the same manner, and an official receipt obtained and presented with the documents for processing.
The Ministry reiterated that its intention in issuing this caution and clarification was to protect citizens from fraudulent schemes and misinformation while also upholding the integrity of its services.
It assured the public, both at home and abroad, of its continued commitment to ensuring efficient, transparent, and client-friendly service delivery.
The Ministry urged the public to remain alert, comply with official procedures, and rely on its designated communication channels to avoid falling victim to misinformation or illegal practices.
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