A total of six Ghanaian career diplomats have been sworn in to office by President Akufo-Addo at a ceremony held in the Banquet Hall of Jubilee House, Accra, on Wednesday (14 June 2023).
Among them is the immediate past director of state protocol, Ambassador Samuel Yao Kumah, who is now Ghana’s high commissioner to Australia. He will be stationed in Canberra, the capital city.
The other envoys are Doris Adzo Denyo Brese, ambassador to Czechia (stationed in Prague), Mohammed Habib Idris, ambassador to Kuwait (stationed in Kuwait City), Kingsford Amoako, ambassador to Liberia (stationed in Monrovia), Mark Michael Entsie, ambassador to Libya (stationed in Tripoli), and Alex Owiredu Adu, ambassador to Niger (stationed in Niamey).
At the swearing-in by President Akufo-Addo, the envoys swore the Oaths of Allegiance, Office and Secrecy and received their instruments of appointment in turn. All six envoys then signed the oaths book, followed by the president.
Committed, competent, diligent
In his address, President Akufo-Addo singled out Ambassador Kumah for special mention, commending him for his exceptional service as director of state protocol over the past three years.
“He has been at my side since he assumed this role some three years ago, during which time he has served with commitment, competence, diligence, honesty, humility and integrity,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“I am extremely sad to see him go but, at the same time, happy to see that his decades of service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he once served as chief of protocol for three years, have today been rewarded with the highest position available at the ministry,” the president said.
Road to recovery
President Akufo-Addo told the envoys that their appointments have come at a time of great significance in the world when all nations are working to return to normality after the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, these effects exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ghana, he said, has started the process of recovery by securing a US$3 billion extended credit facility with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The new envoys have a responsibility to ensure that, at their various duty posts, they pursue the interests of Ghana to support the government’s efforts, which are aimed at ensuring economic growth and development, the president said.
“We [Ghana] are considered a beacon of democracy in Africa. You are the most visible symbol of our country out there, and in all your actions you must guard, jealously, our country’s image.
“I am confident this is a charge you will keep,” President Akufo-Addo said.
Diplomatic démarche
In his response to President Akufo-Addo on behalf of his five colleagues, the new high commissioner to Australia, Samuel Kumah, expressed their appreciation to the president for finding it worthy to appoint them to represent Ghana overseas.
“We are taking on our new assignment at a critical juncture in world history characterised by rise in geopolitical tensions, weakening of multilateralism and the failing global financial situation,” he said.
“Fortunately, you have set the agenda for us. We will therefore leverage on this to seek the enlightened self-interest of Ghana in our diplomatic démarche,” High Commissioner Kumah said.
“We will forge closer ties and collaboration with all of Ghana’s bilateral partners, drive foreign investment into Ghana, foster greater links with the diasporan community and ensure the protection of all Ghanaians who reside in the various jurisdictions to which we have been posted,” he pledged.
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