Accra: Mr. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff, officially closed the five-day Conference of Heads of Mission and Orientation Programme for newly appointed Envoys of Ghana, urging them to project Ghana's renewed foreign policy vision with pride, honour, and competence. He emphasized that Ghana's envoys must view themselves not only as representatives of the state but also as catalysts for the country's economic transformation.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Chief of Staff highlighted that the future of the nation's diplomacy would be measured by tangible benefits delivered to ordinary citizens through trade, investment, and development partnerships. Mr. Debrah, speaking at a dinner and awards ceremony hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, noted that the orientation had revitalized Ghana's collective diplomatic spirit and sharpened the focus on promoting the nation's interests and values globally.
Mr. Debrah described the new batch of envoys as the bearers of a modern and economically driven foreign policy designed for the 21st century. He stated, 'Ghana's foreign policy has always been anchored in peace, security, non-alignment, and good neighbourliness. Today, however, we are placing stronger emphasis on economic diplomacy to directly translate into jobs, investment, technology transfer, and sustainable development for the Ghanaian people.'
He underscored four key priorities that should define Ghana's diplomacy in the coming years: deepening economic diplomacy, strengthening diaspora engagement, championing climate justice, and modernizing the foreign service. He called on envoys to drive Ghana's role in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), reinvigorate pan-Africanism, and actively support regional integration through ECOWAS and the African Union.
The ceremony also celebrated the contributions of five distinguished statesmen whose service helped shape Ghana's reputation on the global stage. Ambassadors Dr. Obed Asamoah, Richard Maximillian Akwei, James Victor Gbeho, Chris Kpodo, and Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas were honoured for their service and legacy in Ghanaian diplomacy.
Mr. Debrah paid tribute to each awardee, describing Dr. Asamoah as a 'true giant of Ghanaian diplomacy' and Dr. Ibn Chambas as an effective diplomat with global influence. He lauded Ambassador Gbeho for his leadership at the United Nations and ECOWAS, Ambassador Kpodo for advancing bilateral ties, and Ambassador Akwei for championing pan-Africanism and anti-colonialism at the UN.
Mrs. Yassine Fall, Minister for African Integration and Foreign Affairs of Senegal, congratulated the new envoys, stressing that diplomacy is about building bridges to promote relations. She urged them to view Africa's challenges as opportunities for strengthening continental cooperation.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, praised the dedication and professionalism the envoys demonstrated during the intensive orientation programme, which was designed to prepare ambassadors to assume their roles with competence and foresight. He encouraged the envoys to remain connected even after their postings abroad, emphasizing the importance of sustaining Ghana's leadership role in international diplomacy.
