The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Stephen Ntim, the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, and several members of the National Cathedral Secretariat are among individuals, who have refused to return diplomatic and service passports issued to them under the Akufo-Addo administration.
This development, has compelled the Mahama government to revoke the travel documents.
In an announcement made yesterday, May 6, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, revealed that it had cancelled 701 diplomatic and service passports belonging to former officials of the previous government and other individuals no longer holding public office.
The revoked passports, include those issued to former ministers and their spouses, ex-members of Parliament (MPs), former members of the Council of State and their spouses, and retired justices of both the Superior and Lower Courts.
Others affected are former regional ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), former board chairpersons of state institutions, and individuals associated with the National Cathedral Project.
The list also, includes former non-career ambassadors and their dependents, religious and traditional leaders, entrepreneurs, and various other former government appointees.
According to the official statement, the cancellations cover 341 unreturned diplomatic passports and 360 service passports, all of which are now invalid for international travel.
“Consequently, owing to the failure or refusal of the holders to comply with the directive, the 341 unreturned Diplomatic Passports and 360 Service Passports bearing the specified serial numbers have been CANCELLED with immediate effect, upon the instructions of the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs. All affected passports have been placed on the Stop List and will be confiscated if presented at any point of entry or departure,” the Ministry stated.
Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a Facebook post, explained that the cancellations, followed the affected individuals’ persistent non-compliance with President John Mahama’s directive to return the passports.
“These passports, issued under the previous administration, are now on a Stop List at all border posts and Ghanaian embassies abroad. They will be seized if any attempt is made to use them,” Mr Ablakwa wrote.
He further noted, “Since January, the holders have consistently refused to adhere to President Mahama’s directive, leaving us no choice but to take this action. I, however, wish to commend the 407 Diplomatic Passport holders and 403 Service Passport holders who complied and returned their passports.”