You must be visible and proactive in promoting Ghana, we will fix your challenges-Akufo-Addo to Heads of Missions

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the country’s Heads of Missions abroad to be more visible and proactive in their quest to promote the country to the international community, assuring that government will address the challenges being faced by the foreign missions.

“You are the chief promoters of Ghana’s diplomatic and commercial interests in your respective countries, and this Conference will reinforce that motivation,” he said.

The President continued, “As Heads of Missions, you are now required to be more visible and proactive in your dealings, in order to make the desired impact. You must endeavour not only to interact with the Executive and Legislative arms of Government in your host countries, but also with academic institutions and influential civil society organisations, including the media. When this is done, you can be certain that you would have helped to promote Government’s agenda for economic transformation and the prospects that it offers all stakeholders.”

Whilst acknowledging the challenges facing the Ministry and Mission, President Akufo-Addo indicated that Government is committed to resolving these challenges, and, as a first step, there has been a modest increase in this year’s budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“It is incumbent on you to exercise prudence in the use of the Mission’s resources, and find innovative ways of increasing the proportion of internally generated funds. Furthermore, the Ministry has also contracted a $50 million loan to help in the rehabilitation of the rundown infrastructure of many of our Missions. The Minister has assured me that the loan will be vigorously disbursed and employed in this new year of 2019,” he added.

Respect the rights of your staff

Reminding them of his appeals at their swearings-in, President Akufo-Addo noted that the various Foreign Service Officers at the Missions possess invaluable experience and an in-depth knowledge of the terrain, which should help them discharge their duties effectively.

“It has, however, come to my attention that, in some of the Missions, the exact opposite of my appeal is being adhered to. There are several reports of petty squabbles, turf wars, outright confrontations, and a complete breakdown in relations between some Heads of Missions and their respective Foreign Service Officers. This situation is completely unacceptable, and is proving detrimental to the smooth running of High Commissions and Embassies, and occasioning unnecessary, additional costs,” the President said.

He put on record his strong opposition to such developments, and urged the Ambassadors and High Commissioners to exercise utmost restraint in their dealings with the Foreign Service Officers, even with those who may be problematic.

“Those, who misconduct themselves, can be duly sanctioned in accordance with the law, after being subjected to due process. I would advise the Minister for Foreign Affairs to investigate and act swiftly in dealing with complaints lodged by a Head of Mission about any officer who misconducts himself or herself, in contravention of the rules and regulations that are to guide their conduct,” he added.

As Heads of Mission, President Akufo-Addo maintained that “you must help create a harmonious working environment. When that happens, you are guaranteed staff who are sufficiently motivated to work hard in order to achieve the desired results and the stated goals of our nation.”

Source: BestNewsGH.com

 

 


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Kennedy Mornah is an Award Winning Ghanaian Journalist with over two decades of experience in the Ghanaian Media landscape spanning the electronic, print and digital media. He is a Media Consultant, a Corporate MC, Radio and TV Host, Founder and Publisher of the Maritime and Transport Digest Newspaper, Businessman, a Go getter and an optimist. He has worked for renowned media organizations including Diamond Fm in Tamale, Luv Fm in Kumasi, Oman Fm in Accra and Starr Fm in Accra In 2017 he received the Reporter of the Year Award at the Ghana Shippers Awards in Accra, Ghana.

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