The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the cancellation of all diplomatic and service passports held by a broad category of former government officials, spouses, and other public figures.
This move follows earlier public announcements on 15th January and 10th March 2025, regarding the recall of such passports.
According to a public statement issued by the Ministry, the cancellation takes immediate effect from 6th May 2025 and affects individuals no longer serving in official capacities, as stipulated under sections 6 and 7 of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155).
The affected categories 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 and District Chief Executives
- Former Officers of State Institutions, Board Chairs and Members
- Officials of the National Cathedral Project
- Former Non-Career Ambassadors and their dependents
- Religious and traditional leaders
- Businessmen and entrepreneurs
- Former government functionaries
- All others holding official passports without current official state roles
The Ministry confirmed that 407 holders of Diplomatic Passports and 403 holders of Service Passports complied with the recall directive by returning their passports. However, due to the failure or refusal of some individuals to comply, 341 unreturned Diplomatic Passports and 360 unreturned Service Passports have been officially cancelled.
The Ministry further stated that the serial numbers of the cancelled passports have been placed on the Stop-List, meaning the passports are no longer valid for international travel and will be confiscated if used.
This directive is part of ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of Ghana’s travel documentation system and ensure that diplomatic privileges are reserved solely for current officeholders.
