Foreign Ministry launches property ownership drive to curb $15m annual rent burden

By: Ernest Afram

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has unveiled a new four-year strategic plan aimed at transitioning Ghana’s foreign missions from renting expensive properties to owning permanent infrastructure abroad. The initiative, recently approved by Cabinet, is expected to save the country millions of dollars and strengthen its diplomatic presence globally.

Speaking at the swearing-in of the Ministry’s Advisory Board in Accra, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa described the move as both urgent and economically sensible. He revealed that Ghana currently spends about $15 million each year on rented chancelleries and residential accommodations for foreign service officials.

“I am also pleased to inform you that Cabinet has only a few days ago granted approval for the Ministry’s four-year strategic transition from renting to infrastructure development” He said

He expressed deep concern over Ghana’s property situation abroad, saying, “There are many countries where we don’t own any property at all. I was in Turkey a couple of weeks back, and we don’t own a single asset, the chancellery is rented, and all the residential accommodation of our foreign service officials is rented. In Sierra Leone a few days ago, it was the same situation.” He added.

The minister said the new infrastructure initiative is intended to reverse this trend by gradually acquiring properties in key diplomatic locations. “If you look at how much we are spending on rent, if we were investing that in owning properties, it would have made much more sense,” he said.

Mr Ablakwa explained that the shift from renting to ownership is not just a cost-saving measure but a strategic move to reinforce Ghana’s diplomatic stature on the international stage.

He charged members of the newly sworn-in Ministerial Advisory Board to provide policy guidance, oversight, and strategic direction to help the Ministry achieve its mandate.

He concluded by underlining the significance of this period in global affairs, saying, “If there is any time in our geopolitics that we need a formidable Ministerial Advisory Board in world affairs, it is this time.” He said. The new strategy is expected to be implemented in phases, prioritizing countries where rent expenses are highest and diplomatic operations are most strategic. It marks a significant policy shift in Ghana’s foreign affairs approach, with long-term implications for cost-efficiency and international representation.