The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has successfully prosecuted a 41-year-old Nigerian woman
who attempted to obtain a Ghanaian passport using forged nationality documents.
The accused, Franca Wilson, a welder by profession, pleaded guilty before the Adabraka District
Court in Accra on May 12, 2026, and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour
on three counts.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
She was arrested on April 24, 2026, at the Accra Passport Application Centre (PAC), after vigilant
officers detected inconsistencies in her nationality claims during the vetting process.
She was
subsequently referred to the National Enforcement Department at the GIS Headquarters for further
investigations.
Investigations established that the accused is a Nigerian citizen born in River State to Nigerian
parents.
However, she presented a falsified birth certificate claiming she was born in Somanya in the Eastern Region to a Ghanaian mother.
She was unable to provide credible information about
the alleged Ghanaian parent.
Further investigations revealed that Franca Wilson had obtained a fraudulent birth certificate
(Entry No. 310) and a Ghana Card bearing ID number GHA-731395447-1 through an agent.
The
same agent allegedly completed her online passport application and booked her appointment,
which ultimately led to her arrest.
In her caution statement, she admitted to the offences.
The Ghana Immigration Service cautions the general public, particularly foreign nationals, against
engaging the services of self-styled agents who claim they can secure Ghanaian identity or travel
documents through illegal means.
The Service reiterates that attempts to fraudulently acquire Ghanaian identity or travel documents
constitute serious offences under the laws of Ghana and will attract severe sanctions.
This was contained in a statement issued by Public Affairs of GIS, Accra.
