NPP petitions US to suspend privileges for Ghanaian diplomatic, service passport holders

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has urged the United States to suspend certain privileges for Ghanaian diplomatic and service passport holders after allegations emerged that some passports were obtained using false or inaccurate official designations. In a petition dated October 30, 2026, signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP named six individuals whose passports were issued based on positions they allegedly do not hold.

The US Chargé d’Affaires in Ghana, Rolf Olson, is requested to suspend diplomatic courtesies for these individuals and enhance scrutiny of Ghanaian diplomatic and service passport holders. The party's concerns stem from two letters issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 6 and 7, 2026, which approved passports for Twumasi Francis Kwame, Shaibu Alhassan Abu, Gyabaah Anthony, Issah Ayisha, Bennor Yussif, and Adom Emmanuel Kwabena as officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Fisheries Commission.

However, the NPP claims that the positions held by these individuals differ from those stated in the approval documents. The party argues that the discrepancies undermine the validity of the passports, which are intended for official use. The NPP has also called for stricter verification of Ghanaian diplomatic and service passports issued since January 7, 2025, including direct confirmation of passport holders' positions with the institutions they represent.

Additionally, the party demands the suspension of passports issued to ineligible individuals, the publication of a comprehensive list of diplomatic and service passports issued since January 2025, and an independent audit of the issuance process. The party insists that the petition is aimed at safeguarding Ghana's national interest rather than inconveniencing officials traveling on legitimate state business.