Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, has taken a proactive step in ensuring the integrity of the country’s passport system. In a recent announcement, Minister Nyanti revealed the establishment of a four-member committee tasked with reviewing and engaging individuals who have held Diplomatic, Official, and Service passports for six years or more.
Heading the committee is Garrison Jallah, alongside co-chair Paul Nyafuah and members Hassan Conteh, Geneva Togbah, and Stephanie Wesseh. Minister Nyanti shared this development at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) on Tuesday, 9 March 2024, highlighting a significant progress rate of 61% since the team’s inception.
The team has received a total of 115 Diplomatic passports, 39 Official passports, and 76 Service passports for review. Minister Nyanti emphasized the importance of ensuring that only legitimate passport holders represent Liberia internationally, citing a recent incident involving a Nigerian national arrested in Lagos with a Liberian passport carrying cocaine.
The Minister clarified that the committee’s formation was a result of a thorough examination of the passport management process and associated fees, with the primary goal of upholding Liberian sovereignty and preventing the misuse of Liberian identity for criminal activities. She stressed that the initiative is non-political and solely focused on safeguarding the country’s interests.
In addition to passport management, Minister Nyanti addressed the issue of Liberians displaced by the closure of the Buduburam camp in Ghana. She revealed ongoing discussions with Ghanaian authorities to assist the 1,539 affected individuals currently housed in schools and women’s development centers in Ghana. The Liberian government, in collaboration with relevant agencies, is actively seeking sustainable solutions for those facing displacement in Ghana.
Furthermore, Minister Nyanti assured that plans for repatriation of Liberians desiring to return home are underway, with scheduled repatriation dates between May 21 and May 31. She emphasized the importance of conducting the repatriation process in a sequential and manageable manner to ensure its success.
Overall, Minister Nyanti’s initiatives demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing challenges faced by displaced Liberians in Ghana and facilitating their return home or integration into their host country. Through collaborative efforts and strategic planning, Liberia is working towards a more secure and efficient passport system while providing support to its citizens in need.
