Envoys to Be Judged on Investments, Trade, and Opportunities – President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has charged Ghana’s ambassadors and high commissioners to shift from ceremonial diplomacy to economic diplomacy, emphasizing that their performance will be measured by tangible outcomes such as trade, investment, and job creation.

Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Conference of Heads of Mission in Accra, held under the theme “Harnessing the Dividends of Diplomacy for Ghana’s Reset Agenda,” President Mahama said the country’s foreign policy will now be evaluated based on measurable results rather than protocol.

“Your success is going to be measured not by ceremonial protocol, but by the scale of investment, trade, and opportunities you help secure for the people of Ghana,” he said.

The President’s reset agenda, launched following the return of the National Democratic Congress to power, seeks to restore economic stability, rebuild public trust, and create employment opportunities. Key initiatives under the agenda include a 24-hour economy policy, the establishment of a Women’s Development Bank, youth apprenticeship programs, and the Agri-Reset initiative.

President Mahama urged envoys to actively promote investment in areas such as industrialization, renewable energy, digital services, agro-processing, infrastructure, and tourism. He also stressed the need to expand export markets for value-added products including processed cocoa, textiles, shea butter, crafts, and digital services.

“Our missions must evolve into hubs of economic engagement, facilitating trade, attracting investments, and promoting innovation,” he added.

In line with this vision, President Mahama launched a new framework of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Ghana’s foreign missions. These KPIs will track progress in eight areas, including economic diplomacy, diaspora engagement, consular services, financial management, and compliance. The move, he said, marks “a new era of foreign service that is transparent, accountable, and judged by outcomes.”

The President further called on envoys to mobilize the Ghanaian diaspora as investors and innovators, rather than merely as remitters of money. He urged partnerships with universities and businesses abroad to secure scholarships, technology transfers, and research opportunities for Ghanaian youth.

Beyond economic considerations, President Mahama stressed that Ghana’s diplomacy must continue to reflect values of transparency and Pan-African solidarity. He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area, headquartered in Accra, and to advocating for climate diplomacy to address environmental vulnerabilities such as erratic rainfall and coastal erosion.

“The agreements you secure in Brussels, Beijing, or Washington will reverberate in Tamale, Kumasi, Ho, and Accra,” he said. “In today’s interconnected world, foreign and domestic policy are inseparable.”

The conference will also provide orientation and training for newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners in areas such as geopolitics, economic diplomacy, security, and consular services.