The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has issued a directive for specific individuals and entities to return Diplomatic and Service Passports issued during the tenure of the Akufo-Addo administration.

This move, initiated by President John Dramani Mahama, aims to ensure compliance with eligibility criteria and uphold the integrity of Ghana's official travel documents.

The directive was conveyed through the President's Executive Secretary, emphasizing the need to prevent misuse and protect the country’s reputation.

The President instructed the Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to notify affected individuals, set a clear deadline for the return of passports, and conduct a comprehensive review of the documents.

In a statement dated Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the Ministry outlined the categories of individuals required to comply with the recall. These include:

Former ministers and their spouses. Former Members of Parliament, irrespective of political affiliation. Members of the Council of State and their spouses. Retired justices of the superior and lower courts. Former regional ministers, and metropolitan, municipal, and district chief executives. Chief executive officers of state institutions, along with chairs and members of boards. Officials of the National Cathedral Project. Former political ambassadors and their dependents. Businesspeople, entrepreneurs, religious leaders, traditional leaders, and other former government officials.

The directive also applies to individuals holding official passports who no longer serve in official capacities as defined under Sections 6 and 7 of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155).

All affected individuals are required to return their Diplomatic and Service Passports to the Legal and Treaties Bureau of the Ministry by Friday, January 24, 2025.

The Ministry emphasized the importance of this exercise in maintaining the standards associated with Ghana’s official travel documents and called for full cooperation from all concerned.

“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 concluded.