Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has outlined plans for a significant overhaul of the country’s diplomatic passport system, aiming to curb past abuses and restore credibility on the international stage.

In an interview on The KeyPoints on February 8, Ablakwa highlighted concerns over the misuse of diplomatic passports, which he said had been issued indiscriminately in previous administrations. He stressed that such passports should be reserved solely for government officials and foreign service personnel, in line with existing regulations such as the NLC Decree 155, which defines eligible recipients.

“There has been abuse in the system. Diplomatic passports should not be available to just anyone. We need to streamline the issuance process to safeguard national security and our global standing,” Ablakwa stated.

The Foreign Minister further underscored the importance of restoring the integrity of Ghana’s diplomatic credentials, particularly noting that the treatment Ghanaian nationals receive at embassies and airports is often contingent on the respect accorded to their passports.

Ablakwa assured the public that the government would implement stricter protocols to ensure that diplomatic passports are issued only to those who genuinely meet the criteria.

Source:TheDotNews