New Envoys Tasked to Drive Economic Diplomacy

By Esther Korantemaa Offei

President John Dramani Mahama has charged Ghana’s newly sworn-in ambassadors to Japan and Ethiopia to prioritise economic diplomacy and deepen bilateral relations in line with Ghana’s national development agenda.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony at the Jubilee House, President Mahama said the role of ambassadors has evolved beyond traditional diplomacy and protocol, stressing that Ghana’s envoys must now focus on advancing the country’s economic interests abroad.

“You have been career diplomats for several years and so I think you understand your jobs. The job of ambassadors has changed from just diplomacy and protocol to working in the economic interests of our country abroad,” he stated.

The President noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already developed key performance indicators to guide the work of ambassadors and ensure measurable outcomes from Ghana’s diplomatic missions.

Touching on Ghana’s relationship with Japan, President Mahama described the ties between the two countries as historic and deeply rooted. He noted that Ghana and Japan would next year celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, adding that the partnership had yielded significant development cooperation over the decades.

“Japan has a quite strong link with Ghana in terms of the arrival of Dr. Hideo Noguchi on our shores and his death in Ghana. Japan takes that relationship very seriously,” he said.

President Mahama further recalled that Ghana was the first country to host Japanese overseas cooperation volunteers more than 50 years ago, a development he said strengthened relations between the two countries.

“As a result of that relationship, Japan has been very benevolent and generous to Ghana over the years in terms of our economic relations,” he added.

The President urged the newly appointed ambassador to Japan to ensure the successful execution of ongoing bilateral projects, including the Volivo Bridge project and other partnership agreements currently underway.

“We’re working on several important projects, including the new bridge over the southern Volta called the Volivo Bridge. You are going to continue to work on all these and make sure that during your period as ambassador, you are able to bring all these to fruition,” he said.

On Ethiopia, President Mahama described Addis Ababa as the diplomatic capital of Africa and highlighted Ghana’s growing leadership role within the African Union.

He revealed that Ghana is currently serving as First Vice Chair of the AU Bureau and is expected to assume the African Union chairmanship next year following nomination by ECOWAS.

“You’re going at a significant time. Ghana is going to assume a one-year chairmanship of the AU, and that means you are going to be extremely busy,” he stated.