Diplomats urged to focus on economic diplomacy

Accra, Jan. 13, GNA - Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Friday asked 12 new Heads of Foreign Missions to focus on economic diplomacy to promote trade relations between Ghana and their designated countries.

He said it was necessary that diplomats worked very hard to promote economic exchange and investment and also to sustain the goodwill, which the country was enjoying internationally as a result of massive economic gains.

Nana Akuffo-Addo was speaking at the opening session of a two-week induction seminar organized by the Ministry for the new Heads in Accra to equip them to play their roles as representatives of the country abroad.

Topics to be discussed include: "Principles of Ghana's Foreign Policy"; "Protocol and Social Etiquette at Post"; "The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations"; "Promoting Investments into Ghana"; "Consular Functions at Post"; "Immigration Laws and Procedures" and "Mobilizing Ghanaians Abroad for National Development".

Nana Akuffo-Addo urged them to foster joint-venture agreements between Ghana and their designated countries, and also work hard to promote Ghana's tourism potential.

The new appointees include Mr Leslie Kojo Christian, Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Ghana Mission at the United Nations (New York); Mr Akilaja O. Akiwumi, Senior International Civil Servant for Egypt); Mr Kofi Sekyiamah, former Chief Director of the Information Services Department, Australia; Major- General F. Adu-Amanfoh, Former Head of Defence Intelligence, Ghana Armed Forces, Liberia.

Others are Alhaji Rashid Bawa, Former Minister of State in charge of Youth and Sports, for Saudi Arabia; Air Vice Marshall Edward A. Mantey, Russian Federation; Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, Former Chairman, Ghana Football Association, Serbia & Montenegro and Rear Admiral John K. Gbenah, a retired Navy Commander, Zimbabwe.

The rest are Mrs Afua Daaku, Lecturer and Social Worker for Namibia; Dr (Mrs) Mokowa Blay Adu-Gyamfi, a Medical Doctor, Sierra Leone; Mr Mogtari Sahanun, Former Upper West Regional Minister, Burkina Faso and Major-General C. B. Yaachie for Mali.