President Mills swears in new ambassadors

Accra, Nov. 11, GNA - Two Ambassadors-designate accredited to Burkina Faso and Libya, were on Friday granted their Letters of Commission with a reminder to promote Ghana's economic diplomacy with commendable lifestyles and people-centred activities.

They are Chief Dauda Mandiaya Bawumia to Burkina Faso and Mr Kodjo Hodari-Okae to Libya.

They swore to the Official Oath, Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Secrecy, administered by President John Evans Atta Mills at the Osu Castle in Accra.

President Mills congratulated the Ambassadors-designate on their appointment and asked for God's wisdom and guidance, strength and vision to help the Government build a better Ghana.

The envoys, soon to take up their appointments, were reminded that Burkina Faso and Libya were of special importance to Ghana, and the choice to represent the President in those countries was significant. Burkina Faso, shares not only a border with Ghana, but has cultural, ethnic and economic ties with her. Libya considers Ghana as one of her true friends and is of special economic circumstance to her.

Mr James Victor Gbeho, Foreign Policy Adviser, urged the envoys to do their utmost best to improve Ghana's relations with the two countries and win their support for Ghana's economic drive.

"This is not the time for swanky cars, lavish cocktails and lifestyles that can bring evil to your career," he advised the envoys. Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Foreign Affairs Minister, told the envoys that their appointment required of them to conduct their affairs with great dignity and absolute personal integrity.

"You are expected to conduct yourself with honesty, compassion, humility, and reflect qualities as unifiers, and teamwork to prosecute a foreign relations agenda that is people-centred, which is also at the core of Government's foreign policy."

Alhaji Mumuni reminded the ambassadors-designate that they had an assignment to attract foreign direct investment, expand trade, showcase Ghana's tourism potentials and make Ghana a preferred investment destination.

"Do everything possible to deliver on your mandate, and actualizing the President's vision of building a Better Ghana," Alhaji Mumuni said. Mr Hodari-Okae, on behalf of his colleague, expressed appreciation to the assignment and that they would give of their best. 13 Nov. 09