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

This move, directed by the Office of the President, is aimed at ensuring compliance with current eligibility criteria and safeguarding the integrity of these official travel documents.

• Read also: Mahama recalls diplomatic passports issued by previous gov’t for verification

This comes after President John Mahama, through his Executive Secretary, directed the recall of the passports which he said was necessary to ensure their proper use, prevent misuse, and protect Ghana's integrity.

The President, therefore, directed the Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to notify the diplomatic passport holders, set a deadline for their return, and conduct a thorough review of the documents.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry on Wednesday, January 15, the recall affects several groups, including former ministers and their spouses, former MPs regardless of political affiliation, and members of the Council of State and their spouses.

It also applies to retired justices of the superior and lower courts, former regional ministers, metropolitan, municipal, and district chief executives, and chief executive officers of state institutions, along with chairs and members of boards.

Other affected categories include officials of the National Cathedral Project, former political ambassadors and their dependents, as well as businesspeople, entrepreneurs, religious leaders, traditional leaders, and other former government functionaries.

The directive extends to any individual holding official passports but not currently serving in an official capacity as defined under Sections 6 and 7 of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155).

The statement said that all affected individuals are required to return their Diplomatic and Service Passports to the Legal and Treaties Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Friday, January 24, 2025.

The Ministry noted that this measure is necessary to prevent misuse of these official travel documents and to uphold the standards associated with their issuance.

"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 added.

Read the full statement below