Foreign Affairs Ministry honours three

Ms Hanna Tetteh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has paid tribute to three pioneers of the country’s Foreign Service.

They are Mr Chapman Nyaho, Ghana's first Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1957 to 1959; and Mr E.M Debrah, Ghana’s first Permanent Representative to the Organisation of African Unity from 1963 to 1967.

The longest serving Foreign Minister in Ghana's history Dr Obed Yao Asamoah who served as PNDC Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 1982 to 1993 and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1997.

The Foreign Minister stated during a ceremony to name the Ministry's ultra-modern conference halls after the Foreign Service pioneers.

Ms Tetteh recalled the contributions of the Ministry in the independence movement across Africa, Ghana's pioneering role in the establishment and the active participation in the Non Aligned Movement as well as the role in the promotion of international peace and solidarity through peacekeeping operations.

She also lauded the Ministry's active role in the African Union and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to maintain regional and sub-regional security and integration.

She noted that it is important to recognise those who had set the stage for the present and future generations to continue.

Ms Tetteh reiterated the need to remember the good examples set by the three personalities who played pivotal role during Ghana's quest to advance government's promise of pursuing a people centered Foreign policy.

The main auditorium was named: “Obed Yao Asamoah Conference Room,” Conference Room A was christened: “Chapman Nyaho Conference,” and Conference Room B named; “E. M. Debrah Conference Room”.

Mr Debrah recounted the incidents leading to his appointment to the OAU and his role in the first meetings of the OAU.

He expressed his delight at being alive and present to witness the honour.

Dr Asamoah called on the younger generation to see the honour as a clarion call on them to work with dignity to serve the country.