- Evans Mensah Kankam, a travel and tour operator, is accused of defrauding an entrepreneur, Gilbert Sei Kwabena, and four others of GH¢388,621 under the guise of securing Schengen visas.
- The incident occurred in November 2024 after Kankam collected the funds at Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
- Victims were taken to Nigeria, where the visas were discovered to be fake, leading to their detention at the Lagos airport.
- Kankam’s accomplice, identified as Shadrack Nti, is currently at large.
- The accused refunded GH¢120,000 after his arrest and has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and defrauding by false pretences.
- He was granted bail of GH¢150,000 with two sureties, ordered to surrender his travel documents, and report to police biweekly.
A travel and tour operator, Evans Mensah Kankam, has been brought before the Dansoman Circuit Court for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent visa operation that cost an entrepreneur and four others nearly GH¢388,621.
According to court documents, Kankam reportedly convinced the victims that he could facilitate their Schengen visas for travel to France. The transaction began in November 2024 at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, where the complainant, identified as Gilbert Sei Kwabena, made an initial payment through Kankam’s Cal Bank account. Additional cash payments followed, amounting to over GH¢380,000 in total.
Prosecutors stated that Kankam later introduced a supposed partner, Shadrack Nti, based in Nigeria, who was to assist in completing the visa process. The victims were subsequently taken to Nigeria, where they were issued travel documents that turned out to be counterfeit. Upon arrival at Lagos Airport, Nigerian authorities declared the visas fake, resulting in the travelers’ arrest and temporary detention.
After their release and return to Ghana, the victims lodged a complaint at the Holy Gardens Police Station, leading to Kankam’s arrest with assistance from the Kumasi Central Police. He allegedly admitted to the offense in his caution statement and refunded part of the funds—GH¢120,000.
Kankam has been charged alongside Nti, who remains at large. The court has granted him bail of GH¢150,000 with sureties backed by landed property and instructed him to surrender his passport while reporting regularly to the police.
Reflective Opinion
This case underscores the growing threat of visa-related fraud in Ghana’s travel industry, where desperation to secure foreign travel opportunities often blinds victims to due diligence. Many Ghanaians, driven by economic hardship and the allure of life abroad, fall prey to deceptive agents who exploit their trust with promises of legitimate travel arrangements.
The ease with which the accused collected substantial sums, moved victims across borders, and coordinated with an accomplice highlights systemic loopholes in both regulatory oversight and public awareness. It raises pressing questions about how travel agencies are licensed, monitored, and held accountable for fraudulent operations.
Beyond the legal implications, this incident is a sobering reminder of the emotional and psychological toll such scams inflict. Victims not only lose money but also face humiliation, detention, and shattered dreams. For Ghana’s youth and entrepreneurs alike, it reinforces the need to verify every travel offer, insist on transparency, and rely only on accredited visa services.
Until stronger enforcement and public education take root, stories like this will continue to serve as grim warnings about the high price of misplaced trust in the pursuit of greener pastures abroad.
