Consular Corps Executives meet in Africa

Accra, Jan. 24, GNA - The World Federation of Consular Corps (FICAC) is holding its Executive Committee Meeting in Ghana and in Africa for the first time to chart new frontiers towards deepening trade and commerce.

Speaking to journalists in Accra on Monday, Mr Roland Dahlman, President of the Federation said the meeting, which is the fourth to be organized since his election, was to assess and streamline the role of the consular General in today's global context. FICAC, a non-profit organization, has as its main objective, the enhancement of the performance of consular services on behalf of sending states in receiving states.


He said the consular's role continues to increase, so there was the need to constantly and actively meet to put forward plans that would reflect in the promotion of diplomatic relations among members. Mr Dahlman said the challenges of globalisation required the need to foster and increase the consular status as well as its function to efficiently and effectively enhance trade and commerce among member nations.


He said the membership of the Federation now stood at 60 with only four, including Ghana, coming from Africa.

Mr Amarkai Amarteifio, the Consul General of Sweden in Ghana, said the country's selection to host the meeting stemmed largely from her achievements as far as development of democracy and good governance were concerned.


Mr Amarteifio, who is also the Dean of the Consular Corps of Ghana and an executive member of the Federation, said the meeting would work to increase membership of the Federation in Africa. He added that, a number of countries had expressed interest in the Federation.