Tuesday, 11 March

March 17 is deadline for surrender of diplomatic, service passports, says Foreign Ministry

News
Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a reminder for the recall of Diplomatic and Service Passports issued under former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

In January 2025, the Office of the President the Foreign Affairs Ministry instructed announced the initial recall.

However, holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports have not all complied, with 404 Diplomatic Passports and 387 Service Passports remaining unreturned.

The Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa-led Ministry of Foreign Affairs has underlined holders of Diplomatic Passports and Service Passports are required to return their passports to the Legal and Treaties Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by March 17.

See the categories of individuals required to surrender their passports below:
– Former Ministers and Spouses

– Former Members of Parliament irrespective of political affiliation

– Former members of the Council of State and Spouses

– Former/Retired Justices of the Superior and Lower Courts

– Former Regional Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive Officers of State Institutions, Chairs and Members of Boards

– Officials of the National Cathedral Project

– Former Political Ambassadors and Dependents

– Businessmen and Entrepreneurs

– Former Government Functionaries

– 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 Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967, NLCD 155.

In its March 10 statement, the Foreign Affairs Ministry emphasised any passports in the abovementioned categories not returned by the stipulated deadline will be cancelled. It cautioned, also, these documents will be added to the Stop-Watch List, making them subject to seizure at any of Ghana’s entry and exit points.

Source: classfmonline.com