Ghana’s rap icon, Sarkodie, has suggested that the work of African artists as ambassadors of their countries will be made flexible if artists are given diplomatic passports.
According to the Sarkcess Music boss, if artists can get diplomatic passports to travel around the world, it will help them promote their countries better.
The BET Awardee explained that if such an identity document is made easily accessible to musicians on the continent, artists can move quickly and “share light on our country; It’s going to help”.
Sarkodie also noted that there should not be impediments in the path of artists when they are going to let the world know about what their countries have to offer the world.
“…I have been on the move as an ambassador for Ghana. So, I shouldn’t have to face any hustle to go [promote] my own country. It’s better I have an easy way to be able to move freely and be an ambassador to spread the word about Ghana,” Sarkodie lamented.
The Vodafone Ghana Music Award’s ‘Artiste of the Decade’, hoped this situation will be solved in the near future to aid artists highlight their countries on the international stage.
“That has been a hustle but hopefully one day we will get there, so it can be easier for artists in Africa”, Sarkodie appealed.
Sarkodie made these comments in a conversation ahead of the Accra in Paris Concert which will happen on Saturday, April 23, 2022.
‘The passport that opens all doors’
A diplomatic passport is used by high-ranking government officials to travel internationally with more ease. It is also commonly used by diplomats who are stationed overseas.
The holder can cross international borders while bypassing a lot of the typical travel regulations that passport holders must follow. Using a diplomatic passport means that the holder is traveling on official government business.
A diplomatic passport varies depending on the country of issue. Usually, it is easy to differentiate from a regular tourist passport. It is likely to be a different color, and state the words ‘Diplomatic Passport’ on the cover. The color difference makes it easy for border officials to identify a government official and offer them relevant privileges.
Diplomatic passports are only issued to those who have diplomatic status. It is not a document that can be applied for by anyone. The requirements can differ depending on the country. The type of statuses that qualify for a diplomatic passport include: Members of Parliament, Governors, Heads of religious affairs, Members of the court, Generals or admirals, Former Presidents or Prime Ministers.
Benefits of a Diplomatic Passport
There are many benefits to having a diplomatic passport. Traveling internationally with this type of travel document affords the holder certain benefits that those with a regular tourist passport do not have. It can vary depending on the destination and specific immigration regulations, but generally, a diplomatic passport allows the visitor numerous privileges.
Those with a diplomatic passport are granted legal immunity from lawsuit or prosecution. There are still limitations to this immunity. A foreign diplomat is exempted from the law to a certain extent, and at the discretion of their host country.
Traveling with a diplomatic passport allows the holder to be easily recognized as a government official. Authorities can identify those who are on official government business, and therefore treat them accordingly. Many countries allow diplomatic passport holders to cross their borders without the need for a visa. This allows the government official to travel with ease, by speeding up immigration checks. Foreign diplomats are exempted from certain airport protocols, such as bag searches and identity checks. The bearer can go through an airport without delaying time by waiting for their belongings or identification to be approved.
A diplomatic passport holder is exempted from paying any tax that results from traveling, by air or land. Generally, they travel frequently, so this aids them in doing so.
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