International Relations Expert Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso has called on the government to implement stricter measures for the issuance of diplomatic and service passports to protect Ghana's international reputation.Dr. Antwi-Danso's comments come in the wake of President John Dramani Mahama's directive to recall all diplomatic and service passports issued under the administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

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The recall, announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, aims to ensure the proper use of these high-level travel documents and prevent potential abuse.In an interview with Citi News, Dr. Antwi-Danso emphasized the need for a more rigorous screening process for such passports, highlighting the risks associated with their misuse.“The issuance process should be tightened.

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In fact, everywhere I have met persons with diplomatic passports or special passports, they are working for the state. Their work is such that it serves the state purpose. But here, it is linkages and whom you know and ‘homeboyism’ kind of attitude towards all these.

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“We should be very careful because when you are holding a diplomatic passport and you do anything untoward, it brings about a big problem between the host country where you are and Ghana. That is why we need to tighten the criteria. We need to make it so tough in acquiring it,” he stated.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally instructed the return of diplomatic and service passports issued during the previous administration, citing the need to uphold the integrity of Ghana's travel documents. This directive, issued on the orders of President Mahama through his Executive Secretary, aims to ensure these passports are used responsibly and for official state purposes only.

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The Ministry's statement, released on Wednesday, January 15, outlined the categories of individuals affected by the recall. Those required to surrender their diplomatic and service passports include former ministers and their spouses, former Members of Parliament from all political parties, and members of the Council of State, along with their spouses.

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The directive also targets retired justices from both superior and lower courts, former regional ministers, past municipal, metropolitan, and district chief executives, and CEOs of state institutions, as well as members of various government boards.

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Other affected individuals include officials connected with the National Cathedral Project, former political ambassadors and their dependents, business leaders, religious figures, traditional authorities, and other former government officials who no longer hold active service roles.The recall aligns with Sections 6 and 7 of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155).

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All affected individuals have been instructed to return their passports to the Legal and Treaties Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Friday, January 24, 2025. The Ministry emphasized that this measure is crucial for preventing misuse and ensuring these documents serve their intended diplomatic purposes.

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