ACCRA, Ghana, 16th October: President John Dramani Mahama has directed Ghana’s newly appointed diplomatic envoys to make the welfare, safety and protection of Ghanaians living abroad a major priority of their assignments.
He said Ghanaian citizens must find in every diplomatic mission an office that listens to their concerns, responds promptly to their needs and treats them with respect.
Speaking during the swearing-in of four ambassadorial appointees, President Mahama stressed that consular services must be accessible and efficient, while assistance to citizens facing difficulties abroad must receive urgent attention.
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.
The President said the government’s recognition of the Ghanaian diaspora as the country’s 17th region, announced in December, must be reflected in the way diplomatic missions engage with citizens abroad.
He explained that Ghana must strengthen the connection between its diaspora and the country while creating opportunities for Ghanaians overseas to contribute their skills, investments and experience to national development.
Protection of Ghanaian workers in Qatar
President Mahama placed particular emphasis on the protection of Ghanaian workers in Qatar, directing the incoming ambassador to ensure that the implementation of the labour-mobility agreement between the two countries is accompanied by adequate safeguards.
He said employment opportunities must go hand in hand with protection for the rights, welfare and working conditions of Ghanaian workers.
The ambassador-designate was also tasked with maintaining close contact with Ghanaian nationals in Qatar and raising their concerns promptly with the appropriate authorities whenever necessary.
President Mahama further called for progress on bilateral arrangements, including the proposed Joint Committee on Manpower Regulation and the Memorandum of Understanding on Military Cooperation.
Welfare of health professionals and agricultural interns in Israel
For Ghana’s engagement with Israel, the President directed the ambassador to advance discussions on the proposed labour-mobility agreement while ensuring that any arrangement involving qualified Ghanaian health professionals protects their welfare.
He emphasised that such agreements must also take Ghana’s domestic health workforce requirements into account.
The ambassador was further instructed to maintain regular contact with Ghanaian agricultural interns participating in Israel’s MASHAV programme.
President Mahama said their safety, training conditions and welfare required active oversight, urging the envoy to identify concerns early and address them promptly.
Stronger ties with the diaspora
The President said diplomatic missions must be proactive in helping Ghanaians abroad overcome challenges while strengthening their links with home.
He urged the appointees to combine economic diplomacy with effective consular support, ensuring that the country’s international engagements deliver meaningful benefits to citizens.
President Mahama added that the confidence placed in the envoys must be matched by professional discipline, sound judgement and a commitment to protecting Ghana’s interests and the dignity of its citizens.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭