NPP’s Chairman, Secretary and Cathedral Secretariat ‘fingered’ for refusing to return diplomatic passport

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Stephen Ntim and General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong are in the news. They, along with members of the National Cathedral Secretariat, have not returned their passports.

On January 15, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement. It recalled passports that are no longer valid under current government rules. The ministry reported that 404 Diplomatic Passports and 387 Service Passports remain unreturned.

The ministry also stated that any unreturned passports after March 17 will be added to the Stop-Watch List. These passports will be canceled and subject to seizure at all entry and exit points in Ghana. Individuals must return their Diplomatic and Service Passports by March 17, 2025.

Reports indicate that Ntim, Kodua, and others refuse to return their passports from the previous Akufo-Addo administration. Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has canceled 701 diplomatic and service passports for non-compliance with return directives.

This includes 341 diplomatic passports and 360 service passports not returned. However, the ministry praised 407 diplomatic passport holders and 403 service passport holders for complying with the directive.

Certain individuals were required to return their passports to the Legal and Treaties Bureau at the Ministry. This includes former ministers, former MPs from all parties, retired justices, regional ministers, board chairs of state institutions, officials of the National Cathedral Project, former political ambassadors, businessmen, and anyone holding an official passport but not currently serving.

In summary: NPP leaders are refusing to return their diplomatic passports as required by law.