The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially announced the cancellation of Diplomatic and Service passports issued to certain categories of former government officials and other designated persons, effective immediately from 6th May 2025.
This follows earlier public announcements made on 15th January and 10th March 2025 regarding the recall of these passports.
The cancellation affects Diplomatic and Service passports held by individuals who no longer serve in any official capacity for the State, as stipulated under sections 6 and 7 of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155).
The affected groups include:
• Former Ministers and their spouses
• Former Members of Parliament
• Former Members of the Council of State and their spouses
• Former and retired Justices of the Superior and Lower Courts
• Former Regional Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives
• Former Officers of State Institutions, including Chairpersons and Members of Boards
• Officials associated with the National Cathedral Project
• Former Non-Career Ambassadors and their dependents
• Religious and Traditional Leaders
• Businessmen and Entrepreneurs
• Former Government Functionaries and all other holders of official passports not currently engaged in official State duties.
The Ministry commends the cooperation of 407 Diplomatic passport holders and 403 Service passport holders who have complied with the recall directive by surrendering their passports as of 6th May 2025.
However, due to non-compliance by other holders, a total of 341 Diplomatic and 360 Service passports remain unreturned.
“These passports, identified by specific serial numbers, have now been officially cancelled on the direct orders of the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs”, the statement noted.
The Ministry urges all affected individuals to comply with the recall directive to avoid legal consequences.
“All cancelled passports have been entered into the Stop-List database, meaning they are invalid for international travel and will be confiscated if presented at any point of departure or entry”.
Check the full list of the cancelled passports CJ
Source : www.kumasimail.com /Isaac Justice Bediako
