In a move to reclaim diplomatic and service passports issued during the previous administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, led by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has issued a public announcement recalling all passports in wrong hands.
The recall, directed by the Office of the President, affects individuals who held official positions or were affiliated with the previous government.
A total of 404 diplomatic passports and 387 service passports remain outstanding, despite an initial public announcement on January 15, 2025.
The Ministry has identified various categories of individuals required to surrender their passports by March 17, 2025. These include:
– Former Government Officials: Former Ministers, Members of Parliament, Regional Ministers, and District Chief Executive Officers
– Judiciary and Council of State Members: Former/Retired Justices of the Superior and Lower Courts, and members of the Council of State
– Diplomatic Representatives: Former Political Ambassadors and their dependents
– Business Interests: Businessmen and entrepreneurs who held official passports
– Other Affected Individuals: All persons holding official passports not currently serving in any official capacity for the State
Passports not surrendered by the deadline will be canceled and placed on the Stop-Watch List for seizure at any of Ghana’s entry and exit points.
This move is seen as an effort to prevent abuse and boost Ghana’s international reputation. Ablakwa has expressed concerns about the current issuance process, stating that “there has been abuse”.
The recall is part of a broader effort to overhaul Ghana’s diplomatic passport system.
-BY Issah Olegor