Diplomatic passports given to National Cathedral officials sparks massive outrage on social media

Some Ghanaians have expressed anger over the diplomatic and service passports issued to officials of the controversial National Cathedral project during the previous Akufo-Addo administration.

The outrage comes after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a list outlining the categories of individuals required to return their diplomatic passports, following a directive from President John Dramani Mahama for all diplomatic passports to be returned by January 24, 2025.

According to the ministry, the affected individuals include:

1. Former Ministers and their spouses

2. Former Members of Parliament, irrespective of political affiliation

3. Former Members of the Council of State and their spouses

4. Former/Retired Justices of the Superior and Lower Courts

5. Former Regional Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives, Chief Executive Officers of State Institutions, Chairs and Members of Boards

6. Officials of the National Cathedral Project

7. Former Political Ambassadors and their dependents

8. Businessmen and Entrepreneurs

9. Religious and Traditional Leaders

10. Former Government Functionaries

11. All other persons holding official passports not currently serving in any official capacity for the State or otherwise holding any position that falls under the requirements of sections 6 and 7 of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 NLCD 155.

In response to the list, critics have expressed their frustrations, contending that the project officials should not have received the passports.

Others have expressed their shock over the disclosure, noting how the integrity of diplomatic passports may have been compromised, as the previous government issued them to individuals they believed were undeserving.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been directed to conduct a verification process involving a thorough review of all returned passports to ensure they align with the current eligibility criteria for issuance.

Read the tweets below:

Officials of the National Cathedral Project were issued Diplomatic passports. Ei hmmmm
— The Happy MC (@Eddy_Acquah) January 15, 2025

So ministry of foreign affairs is telling us that Executives of The National Cathedral project had diplomatic passports? Eiii
— Rockson Soul🇬🇭🇺🇸 (@RocksonSoul1) January 15, 2025

Just saw the Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement. Officials of the National Cathedral project were also handed Diplomatic Passports. Wow! 😳
— Mirpuri (@InterBoyTM) January 15, 2025

Officials of the national cathedral had diplomatic passports??! Ei Herh🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Pearl Batista | Content Creator (@pearl_batista) January 15, 2025

At this point I think it’s fair to request for a special type of passport ( if not diplomatic passport) for artists/creators with extraordinary abilities to enable them travel the world for their work without the stress of having to fight embassies in getting visas! Emphasis on…
— Erskine Whyte (@RevErskineGH) January 15, 2025

After breaking properties and spending $58M to dig the biggest hole in the world, issued diplomatic passport to all the officials. Kusi Boateng/Adu Gyamfi, Bengazy, Joyce Aryee and co were given diplomatic passports to supervise sh!t
— KOJO DYNAMIC 𓃵 (@AnnanPerry) January 15, 2025