Over 380 diplomatic passports have been returned following a presidential directive aimed at enhancing accountability and ensuring proper management of these travel documents, according to reports.
The directive, issued by Dr. Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, required the return of all diplomatic and service passports issued during the tenure of the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
The recall officially ended on Friday, January 24, 2025, with most of the passports being submitted by Thursday, January 23, a day before the deadline, sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed.
This initiative is part of efforts by the current administration to ensure that diplomatic passports are used solely for their intended purpose—facilitating official state representation abroad. These passports grant holders privileges such as expedited customs clearance and exemptions from certain taxes and duties in host countries.
The recall was prompted by reports that some individuals no longer serving in official roles still possessed diplomatic passports, raising concerns about potential misuse. Mismanagement of these documents poses significant risks to national security and international relations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing stricter measures to prevent the future misuse of diplomatic passports and to uphold the integrity of Ghana’s official travel documents.
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