A total of 701 holders have had their diplomatic and service passports revoked by the government with immediate effect, stating that they are no longer eligible for use abroad.
Because the holders did not return their passports by the government-mandated deadline, these passports had to be canceled.
Former Ministers and Spouses, former Members of Parliament, former Members of the Council of State and Spouses, former/retired Justices of the Superior and Lower Courts, and former Regional Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives were listed as holders in a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday.
The others were identified by the Foreign Ministry as former government officials, religious and traditional leaders, businessmen and entrepreneurs, chairpersons and board members, officials of the National Cathedral Project, former non-career ambassadors and dependents, and former officers of state institutions.
“All other persons holding official passports not currently serving in any official capacity for the State, or otherwise holding any position that falls under the requirements of sections 6 and 7 of the Passport and Travel Certificates Act, 1967(NLCD 155),” the statement added.
As for the 407 Diplomatic and 403 Service passport holders who complied with the recall order as of yesterday, the Ministry acknowledges their compliance.
The Office of the President ordered the recall of all service and diplomatic passports issued during the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in an attempt to improve the legitimacy of Ghana’s official travel credentials and diplomatic missions.
Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, emphasized in a letter dated January 14, 2025, to the Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the recall was in line with the government’s commitment to making sure official travel documents are used and administered correctly in accordance with national and international standards.
The President gave all holders of these passports until January 24 to turn them in to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The Chief Director of the Ministry was also instructed to make sure that every returned passport is carefully examined to make sure it still meets the requirements for issuance.
Statement Below:
Source: newsthemegh.com