The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has refuted claims that it signed a $38.2 million contract with Access Services Ghana Limited.
The denial follows accusations by North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who alleged that the Ministry engaged in a questionable agreement with the company to manage visa applications for Ghana's diplomatic missions abroad without securing the necessary approvals from the Public Procurement Authority and Parliament.
Mr Ablakwa also criticized the deal, claiming that Access Services, a company he suggested has no prior experience, stands to benefit significantly from the arrangement, while the Ministry would only receive a small share of the revenue.
However, the Ministry, in a statement issued on Friday, October 18, labelled the allegations as "largely incorrect and calculated to deliberately mislead the public."
The Ministry clarified that the agreement with Access Services involves the company providing premium front-end visa application services using its own facilities and personnel, charging fees of $45, $55, and €55 depending on the country.
The diplomatic missions involved will receive £7, $7, and €7 from these fees in the respective currency zones.
“This arrangement allows Ghana’s Missions abroad to gain an additional stream of revenue,” the Ministry explained, countering Mr Ablakwa’s claim that the payments to the Missions represent their sole source of income from the contract.
The Ministry further emphasized that Access Services offers similar services to those provided by established companies like VFS Global and TLSContact, which manage visa applications for foreign embassies in Ghana.
In response, the Ministry reiterated its commitment to transparency and dismissed the claims as an attempt to mislead the public.