Gbeho cautions Foreign Diplomats

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Victor Gbeho, has at a meeting with the Diplomatic Corps advised them to demonstrate sensitivity and objectivity in their assessment of situations in the country, especially about the December 7 elections.

He warned that government would not tolerate any unguarded criticisms from the diplomatic community, which project a negative image of Ghana to the outside world. The meeting follows the recent criticism of the government by the Deputy British High Commissioner on the issue of photo ID cards at the Speaker's breakfast forum.

Mr. Gbeho said Ghana is appreciative of the assistance of friendly countries as well as some non-governmental organisations towards the administration of the electoral process and pledged the government's commitment to fair, free and transparent elections as it did in 1992 and 1996.

Mr. Gbeho himself a career diplomat after listening to explanations from the British High Commissioner said, as diplomats they must be careful about what they say. The British High Commissioner Dr. Rod Pullen in his explanation said his deputy's comments were informed by visits to some 66 stations by staff of the commission to monitor the exercise.