The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said all diplomatic and service passports issued prior to the inauguration of the new government on January 7 to former ministers, deputy ministers and other functionaries ceased to be valid from that date.

A Foreign Ministry statement signed by Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, on behalf of the President, said holders of such passports should surrender them to the Chief Director of the Ministry for cancellation by Wednesday, January 31, 2001.