International Relations Expert Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso has urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to tighten the process for issuing diplomatic and service passports to specific categories of individuals.

Dr. Antwi-Danso’s comment follows public backlash after the Ministry released a list of persons affected by President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to recall diplomatic and service passports issued under the administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The recall, ordered by the Office of the President, aims to safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s official travel documents and diplomatic engagements.

Speaking to Citi News, Dr. Antwi-Danso stressed the need for a stricter regime in issuing special passports to prevent misuse and ensure credibility.

“The issuance process should be tightened. 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.

“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.”