ACCRA, Ghana, 16th October: President John Dramani Mahama has charged Ghana’s newly appointed ambassadors and permanent representative-designate to prioritise economic diplomacy by attracting investments, creating jobs and opening new markets for Ghanaian businesses.
He said the country’s diplomatic missions must move beyond conducting official relations and focus on securing tangible economic benefits for Ghanaians.
Speaking during the swearing-in of four ambassadorial appointees, President Mahama said their appointments reflected confidence in their professional competence, experience and judgement, adding that their performance must be measured by the opportunities they create for the country.
The appointees are Nana Antwiwaa Dodoo, Ambassador to Angola; Louis Kwame Obeng, Ambassador to Qatar; Evelyn Korantemaa Ofosu-Amable, Ambassador to Israel; and Jedidiah Reuben Adogla, Permanent Representative to Switzerland.
President Mahama noted that the international environment is changing rapidly, with shifting alliances, increasing trade restrictions and growing competition over technology and natural resources.
He said Ghana must respond to these developments with a clear understanding of its national interests while protecting its ability to make independent decisions, secure access to markets and technology, and build strategic partnerships.
According to him, economic diplomacy must support the government’s Reset Agenda by helping restore macroeconomic stability, sustain economic growth and generate decent jobs.
He identified the 24-hour economy policy and the Big Push infrastructure programme as key initiatives that diplomatic missions must help advance through investment promotion and international cooperation.
The President also highlighted the importance of social interventions, including Free Primary Health Care and the MahamaCares programme, in the government’s broader development agenda.
On natural resources, he said the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board and efforts to promote local processing of critical minerals such as lithium, bauxite and manganese reflected the government’s determination to retain more value from the country’s resources.
He urged the ambassadors to attract the investment and expertise required to transform these resources into productive industries and sustainable employment.
“Judge the success of your economic diplomacy by the opportunities you are able to bring to Ghana,” he told the appointees.
President Mahama further directed the envoys to follow through on investment agreements and proposals, identify obstacles early and collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant institutions to resolve them.
He also called on them to help Ghanaian businesses expand into foreign markets and establish partnerships that support skills development, research and technology transfer.
The President said the country’s international partnerships must produce measurable benefits for its citizens, stressing that diplomatic engagements should be judged by their contribution to Ghana’s development.
He urged the appointees to demonstrate professionalism, discipline and accountability while ensuring that public resources entrusted to their missions were used responsibly.
President Mahama reminded the envoys that their conduct must reflect the dignity of the Republic of Ghana and that Ghana’s interests must remain at the centre of their duties.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭