Foreign Affairs Minister Inaugurates Maiden Governing Council of Foreign Service Institute
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has officially inaugurated the maiden Governing Council of the newly established Foreign Service Institute, aimed at enhancing the professional development and capacity of Ghana’s diplomatic corps.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the Ministry’s conference room in Accra. The Foreign Service Institute, which has been set up under the Ministry, is expected to serve as a centre of excellence in foreign policy training, research, and diplomatic development.
The nine-member Governing Council is chaired by the Foreign Minister himself, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and includes distinguished personalities from Ghana’s diplomatic and academic communities, as well as the private sector. Prominent among the members are Ambassador Ramses Cleland, a seasoned diplomat with decades of service; Frederick Amissah, a respected economist from the private sector; and other key stakeholders with expertise in international relations, trade, and public service.
In his address at the inauguration, Mr. Ablakwa underscored the critical role of the council in shaping the future of Ghana’s diplomacy. He noted that the Foreign Service Institute is being positioned as a world-class institution that will equip diplomats with the skills needed to meet contemporary global challenges.
“Our diplomacy must not remain static,” he said. “The world is changing rapidly, and we must keep pace by investing in the continuous training and retooling of our foreign service personnel. This council has a sacred mandate to ensure that the institute bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical diplomacy.”
According to the Minister, the Foreign Service Institute will offer structured programs, including induction courses for newly recruited foreign service officers, mid-career refresher courses, and strategic policy training for senior diplomats. It will also collaborate with other global diplomatic academies and think tanks to build best-in-class training modules for Ghanaian envoys.
He added that the institute is also expected to support the Ministry’s broader foreign policy objectives, including economic diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, and peacebuilding.
“The Foreign Service Institute will become the backbone of our new foreign policy vision — one that is deeply rooted in knowledge, innovation, and global competitiveness,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
He also expressed confidence in the expertise and experience of the newly appointed members of the council and charged them to be bold, strategic, and forward-thinking in guiding the development of the Institute.
The council is expected to serve for a renewable term of four years and will work closely with the Ministry’s Directorate of Administration and Human Resource to roll out the first batch of training programs later this year. The inauguration of the council marks a significant milestone in the modernization and professionalization of Ghana’s foreign service, reinforcing the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s role and representation on the international stage.
