GIS secures conviction of West African Nat'l for using forged documents

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 onthree 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.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith