By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced the immediate cancellation of all Diplomatic and Service Passports held by former government officials and associates of the previous Akufo-Addo administration. The move, which takes effect today, renders the affected passports invalid for international travel.
According to an official statement issued by the Ministry, the directive follows previous recall notices issued on January 15 and March 10, 2025, which required individuals no longer serving in official capacities to return their Diplomatic and Service Passports in line with Sections 6 and 7 of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155).
Despite voluntary compliance from 407 holders of Diplomatic Passports and 403 holders of Service Passports, the Ministry disclosed that 341 Diplomatic Passports and 360 Service Passports remain unreturned. As a result, these unreturned passports have been cancelled and placed on a stop-list. Any attempt to travel using these documents will lead to confiscation at the point of departure.
Categories of Affected Individuals
The directive affects a broad spectrum of former officials and affiliates of the previous administration, including:
- Former Ministers of State and their Spouses
- Former Members of Parliament (MPs)
- Former Members of the Council of State and their Spouses
- Former/Retired Justices of the Superior and Lower Courts
- Former Regional Ministers
- Former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs)
- Former Officers of State Institutions
- Chairpersons and Members of Boards of State Institutions
- Officials Involved in the National Cathedral Project
- Former Non-Career Ambassadors and their Dependents
- Religious Leaders
- Traditional Leaders
- Businessmen and Entrepreneurs with links to the former government
- Other Former Government Functionaries no longer holding official positions
The Ministry emphasized that only persons currently serving in official state capacities or those who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the law are permitted to hold such passports.
Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who authorized the cancellation, stated that the action is part of broader efforts to safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s diplomatic privileges and prevent potential abuse.
“This is an administrative and legal matter aimed at ensuring that diplomatic travel privileges are reserved strictly for those who are actively serving the State,” the statement noted.
The development has drawn mixed reactions from the public and political observers. While some view it as a necessary step toward accountability, others interpret the directive as a politically motivated purge. The Ministry, however, insists the directive is grounded in law and standard procedure.
