Foreign Affairs Ministry Release List Of Persons Affected By Diplomatic Passport Recall

Foreign Affairs Ministry Release List Of Persons Affected By Diplomatic Passport Recall

  • Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released the list of officials affected by the diplomatic passport recall
  • Officials of the National Cathedral Project were among the persons who were granted these documents
  • The government said the recall was part of efforts to enhance the integrity of Ghana’s travel documents

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has released the list of officials affected by the diplomatic and service passport recall.

On Wednesday, January 15, the presidency ordered the recall of all diplomatic and service passports issued under the Akufo-Addo administration.

Foreign Affairs Ministry, Diplomatic Passport Recall, John Mahama, Ghana Passport, Former Minister
The Foreign Affairs Ministry is given until January 24 to complete the diplomatic passport collection process. Source: John Dramani Mahama
Source: Facebook

The affected persons are to return their passports by January 24, 2025.

Officials of the beleaguered National Cathedral Project were notably among persons granted diplomatic passports.

This move is part of efforts to enhance the integrity of Ghana’s official travel documents and diplomatic engagements.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs listed the officials affected:

  • 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,
  • Former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives
  • Former Chief Executive Officers of State Institutions, Chairs
  • Former Members of Boards
  • Officials of the National Cathedral Project
  • Former Political Ambassadors and dependants
  • Businessmen and Entrepreneurs
  • Religious and Traditional Leaders
  • Former Government Functionaries
  • All other persons holding official passports who are not currently serving in any official capacity for the state.

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The exercise would ensure a review of all diplomatic and service passports in line with the current eligibility criteria for issuance.

Mahama earlier instructed the recall of all diplomatic and service passports issued by the Akufo-Addo administration.

The president's communique said the decision to recall the passports was to ensure their proper use, prevent misuse, and protect Ghana's integrity.

The ministry was given until January 24 to complete the collection process.

Ghana’s diplomatic and service passport is intended solely for government officials and diplomatic personnel.

The Passports Office, a bureau of the ministry, is responsible for the issue of passports and other travel documents of Ghana to Ghanaian citizens. Diplomatic or special passports are not paid for.

Who is entitled to Ghana diplomatic passport?

Per the passports and travel certificates decree, diplomatic passports are meant for:

  • Any member of the Government of Ghana proceeding abroad on official Government business and the wife of such member who accompanies him on his journey
  • Any diplomatic representative of Ghana accredited to any other country or any official international organization as head of mission, and any member of the diplomatic staff of such representative
  • Any consular officer of Ghana, the spouse, and every member of the immediate family residing with him
  • The head of any delegation of Ghana attending an international conference or convention at which countries are officially represented.
  • Any prominent citizen or high public official of Ghana, according to the government.

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Ghana passport fees increased

YEN.com.gh reported that some Ghana passport application fees were increased by over 500% after a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. The ministry justified the price increases, citing the cost of producing the booklets.

The standard application fee for 32 pages went from GH¢100 to GH¢500 and expedited application fees for 32 pages increased from GH¢100 to GH¢640, while the fee for the 48-page application has gone from GH¢150 to GH¢644 and the expedited fee is now GH¢800.

Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh

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Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Delali Adogla-Bessa avatar

Delali Adogla-Bessa (Current Affairs Editor) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.