Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has implored ambassadors and high commissioners-designate to build networks and cultivate fruitful relations with their Ghanaian compatriots and host governments as they leave to assume post.
She urged them to build good relations with mission officers and foster a good working environment and demonstrate exemplary leadership devoid of all forms of discrimination.
“As much as possible, try to accommodate all your officers as long as they conduct themselves in a professional manner and do not seek to undermine you or derail the progress of the Mission,” she said.
Addressing the opening ceremony of an orientation programme for ambassadors and high commissioners-designate on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, the Foreign Affairs Minister urged them to desist from directly reporting Officers to the Presidency without recourse to her and going as far as insisting these officers be recalled without due process.
Such development, she said, does not only undermine her office but also places unbudgeted financial commitment on government and disrupts the already erratic family life of diplomats and their children.
She stressed it is wrong to exert pressure on subordinates to contravene the Foreign Service Regulations, which have been drawn up to guide the affairs of all Ghana Missions abroad.
She said, “When in doubt, kindly seek clarification from trusted colleagues or senior officers in the Ministry. The staff in your Missions have been trained to understand that their duty is to mother Ghana and not any individual.”
“As career officers, they have been tasked at all times to adhere to the principles of competence, selflessness, integrity, accountability and honesty among others that are the guiding principles of the Ghana Civil Service.”
“As a human institution, issues will definitely arise and when they do, please be rest assured that the Ministry will be on hand to help, especially in dire situations.”
The Minister reminded the ambassadors and high commissioners-designate that as representatives of the President abroad, they have been entrusted with the enormous task of providing strategic leadership for efficient and effective achievement of these strategic objectives.
The realities of the times, she said, require pursuing economic diplomacy as a vital tool for transforming the Ghanaian economy by actively seeking markets for Ghanaian goods and services abroad, promoting trade and commercial relations and investments into the country.
According to her, Mission in this COVID era will be required to innovate in pursuit of economic diplomacy, and stressed that embarking on extensive market research on products and services is very crucial.
“Missions need to develop marketing plans indicating the focal areas, the objectives, the strategies employed and the outcome of their activities.”
“Missions must adopt innovative and cost effective strategies such as communication with wholesalers, press releases, publishing articles in business papers, granting interviews to reputable media houses etc. all in a bid to promote Ghanaian goods and services.”
“This crucial task will require inter-sectoral collaboration both home and abroad. It is, therefore, imperative that you leverage your current networks and also work towards expanding it in your respective host countries,” she said.
She urged them to be open to knowledge sharing so they can leave Ghana well-equipped and ready to take up the task ahead.
And expressed conviction they will excel as Ambassadors and High Commissioners and return enriched, safe and sound after having played their part as great sons and daughters of Ghana.