A total of 701 diplomatic and service passports have been officially revoked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.This was revealed by the Foreign Ministry in a press release issued on May 6, to manage and control official travel documents. The Ministry's actions aligns with the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155), particularly sections 6 and 7, which regulate the issuance and use of official passports.

The revoked Passports include 341 unreturned Diplomatic passports and 360 Service passports, which are now on a stop-list and no longer valid for international travel.

This action follows prior public notices issued on January 15 and March 10, instructing former officials and specific individuals to return their official passports.

The individuals affected by this recall include former Ministers and their spouses, former Members of Parliament, former Council of State members and their spouses, retired Justices of the Superior and Lower Courts, former Regional Ministers, MMDCEs, and board members, officials of the National Cathedral Project, as well as former non-career ambassadors and their dependents.

The Ministry has revealed that any of the recalled passports found in use will be confiscated, with strict enforcement at points of entry and exit.

The issuance and use of Ghana’s diplomatic and service passports are governed by strict eligibility criteria and are intended exclusively for individuals undertaking official government functions or diplomatic assignments.

According to Ghanaian law, a diplomatic passport may be granted to any member of the Government of Ghana travelling abroad on official duty, as well as to their spouse when accompanying them. This privilege extends to diplomatic representatives of Ghana accredited to foreign nations or official international organisations, including Heads of Mission, members of their diplomatic staff, and consular officers.

Eligible recipients also include the spouse and immediate family members residing with a diplomat or any other person covered under these provisions, provided a diplomatic passport has been issued to the principal holder.

Additionally, the head of any Ghanaian delegation attending an international conference or convention where countries are officially represented may be issued such a passport.

Furthermore, the government may issue a diplomatic passport to any prominent Ghanaian citizen or high-ranking public official travelling abroad, if it deems the purpose of the travel merits such status.

This provision was introduced under the Passport and Travel Certificates (Amendment) Law, 1993 (PNDCL 310).