Akufo-Addo and Bawumia Are Not Receiving Special Favours — Samuel Buabeng On Diplomatic Passports

Former presidential staffer Samuel Bryan Buabeng has defended the retention of diplomatic passports by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, insisting that the practice is neither new nor a special favour from the Mahama administration. He has challenged broadcaster Kevin Taylor to familiarise himself with Ghana’s passport laws and established diplomatic protocols before criticising former government officials who hold such passports.

In a post shared on his official Facebook page on November 3, 2026, Buabeng described Taylor’s repeated criticism of diplomatic passport holders as an apparent obsession driven by envy. He urged the broadcaster to study the Passports and Travel Certificates Decree, 1967 (NLCD 155), as amended by PNDCL 310 (1993), arguing that a proper understanding of the legal framework would help prevent what he considers misleading commentary on the subject.

Buabeng explained that the retention of diplomatic passports by former Presidents and Vice-Presidents after leaving office was not introduced by the current government. According to him, it has been an established executive practice and protocol in Ghana since 1992.

He further argued that Ghana’s passport laws make provision for prominent citizens and high-ranking public officials whom the government considers deserving of diplomatic passports for their travels. He stressed that the privilege is not restricted to individuals currently serving in government.

To support his argument, Buabeng cited former President John Dramani Mahama, claiming that he retained his diplomatic passport after leaving office in 2017 and had it renewed after it expired. He also mentioned former Foreign Affairs Minister Hannah Tetteh, whom he said similarly retained her diplomatic passport and subsequently had it renewed.

The former presidential staffer further noted that diplomatic passports have also been issued to prominent Ghanaians outside the political sphere. He listed traditional rulers, Islamic leaders, clergymen, business executives, entertainers and other notable citizens among those who have travelled using diplomatic passports.

Buabeng maintained that the Mahama administration was therefore not extending any special treatment to Akufo-Addo or Bawumia by allowing them to retain their diplomatic passports. He argued that the practice is backed by a history of executive protocol and an established framework, and accused Taylor of overlooking these facts in his criticism of the former President and Vice-President.

He concluded by urging the broadcaster to understand the legal and historical background of diplomatic passports before using his platform to criticise the former leaders. His comments come amid public debate over the eligibility of former public officials and other prominent citizens to retain or use diplomatic passports after leaving their respective positions.

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