Josiah
The Minority in Parliament says Hong Kong, Qatar and Turkey are the only three destinations that differentiate between Ghanaian diplomatic and service passport holders under their visa-free travel arrangements.
According to the caucus, holders of Ghanaian diplomatic passports enjoy visa-free access to 62 countries, compared with 59 countries for those holding service passports.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, November 8, the Minority said the two passport categories offer largely similar travel privileges, with only three destinations treating them differently.
“For the rest of the 59 countries, they treat diplomatic and service passports as practically the same,” the caucus stated.
It explained that the visa-free arrangements allow holders to travel without going through visa application processes, paying related fees or facing delays and possible visa refusals.
The Minority argued that these privileges could make the documents attractive to individuals seeking to acquire them through channels that do not comply with the law.
It emphasised that diplomatic and service passports are special official travel documents issued on behalf of the Republic and should be granted only to individuals who meet the legally prescribed requirements.
However, Omanghana cannot independently verify the Minority’s claims about the visa-free arrangements.
Under Section 6 of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155), diplomatic passports may be issued to designated government officials, diplomatic and consular officers, heads of Ghanaian delegations to international conferences, and certain prominent citizens or senior public officials whose travel requires such documentation.
Section 7 of the Act provides for service passports for public officers and other Ghanaians travelling abroad strictly on official State business but who do not qualify for diplomatic passports.
The Minority has also raised concerns over allegations that some individuals may have paid to obtain the documents using false official designations. It described the alleged practice as an abuse of a facility intended for official State business.
The caucus is calling for a parliamentary investigation into the matter and says it will file a motion on Monday, November 9, seeking the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to examine the available evidence.
Source:Omanghana
