The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has published a list of individuals and entities that must return Diplomatic and Service Passports issued under the Akufo-Addo administration.
This initiative, led by the Office of the President, seeks to ensure adherence to current eligibility requirements and protect the integrity of these official travel documents.
Following President John Mahama’s directive via his Executive Secretary, passports are being recalled to ensure their appropriate use, prevent misuse, and uphold Ghana’s integrity.
The President instructed the Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform diplomatic passport holders, establish a deadline for their return, and carry out a comprehensive review of the documents.
The Ministry’s statement on Wednesday, January 15, announced a recall impacting various groups. These include former ministers and their spouses, past MPs from all political parties, and members of the Council of State along with their spouses.
This also applies to retired justices of the superior and lower courts, former regional ministers, and past metropolitan, municipal, and district chief executives. Additionally, it includes chief executive officers of state institutions, chairs, and members of boards.
Additional impacted groups encompass officials involved in the National Cathedral Project, former political ambassadors and their dependents, business professionals, entrepreneurs, religious and traditional leaders, and other former government officials.
The directive applies to individuals with official passports who are not presently serving in an official role as outlined in Sections 6 and 7 of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155).
The statement said that all affected individuals must return their Diplomatic and Service Passports to the Legal and Treaties Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Friday, January 24, 2025.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs counts on the cooperation of all holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports to undertake this important exercise as directed,” the statement added.
Read the full statement below;
