The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana has announced the immediate cancellation of Diplomatic and Service passports for several individuals, effective from May 6, 2025. This action is in line with previous public announcements made in January and March 2025.
The affected individuals include former government officials such as ex-ministers, former members of parliament, former members of the Council of State, retired justices of both superior and lower courts, as well as regional ministers and former district chief executives. Other individuals impacted by this decision include officials from state institutions, chairpersons and members of boards, and individuals associated with the National Cathedral Project. Additionally, former non-career ambassadors, business leaders, religious and traditional leaders, and other former government functionaries are also included in the recall.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that as of the announcement date, 407 holders of Diplomatic and 403 holders of Service passports had complied with the directive and returned their passports. However, as 341 Diplomatic and 360 Service passports remained unreturned, they have now been canceled and placed on a stop-list. Any individual attempting to travel with these canceled passports will have their documents confiscated.
The Ministry invoked the Passports and Travel Certificates Act of 1967 (NLCD 155) in carrying out this recall, which affects individuals no longer holding official positions with the government.
