In a historic event held at the Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C., four distinguished individuals, namely, Madam Yvonne McCowin, Mr. Kwame Boakye Acheampong, Mr. Kennedy Asafo-Adjei and Professor Derek Asiedu-Akrofi were officially commissioned as Honorary Consuls to represent Ghana in the United States of America.
The ceremony, held at the Embassy’s auditorium, was presided over by Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency (H.E.) Hajja Alima Mahama.The event, which happened on November 18, 2024, aimed at bolstering Ghana’s diplomatic and community representation across key regions of the United States of America.
It was also a significant moment for the Ghanaian diaspora who were represented by Ghanaian community members. H.E. Ambassador Alima Mahama emphasized the important role played by Honorary Consuls’, describing them as a “critical bridge” between Ghana and its nationals abroad, as well as valuable contributors to strengthening Ghana’s relations with the United States of America.
The ceremony began with opening remarks from the Ambassador who highlighted the responsibilities of Honorary Consuls in advancing Ghana’s diplomatic, economic, tourism, and cultural interests. She explained that the Honorary Consuls would act as representatives in their respective regions, providing assistance to Ghanaians and promoting the country’s values and trade and investment opportunities.
Ambassador Alima Mahama then read the letters of commission for each of the new Honorary Consuls and formally presented them with the Seal of Office, symbolizing their authority to act on behalf of Ghana in their designated jurisdictions.
Following this, the new Consuls took the “Oath of Secrecy” and the “Oath of Office”, pledging to uphold the highest standards of confidentiality and loyalty in their service to Ghana. These oaths, administered by the Ambassador, reinforced the weight and integrity of their new positions. Each Honorary Consul brings a wealth of experience and expertise to their new roles:
Madam Yvonne McCowin
Madam Yvonne McCowin is a prominent leader in the corporate sector and the Ghanaian community in Atlanta. Her professional background includes significant roles at the International Parking Institute (IPI) and Duncan Solutions, along with her work as a licensed real estate agent with VistaRay USA, Inc.
|Miss Yvonne Horsley McCowin (right), new Consul for Atlanta / © Ghana Embassy, D.C.
In the Ghanaian community, Madam Yvonne is highly regarded for her leadership as the immediate past President of the Ghana Council of Georgia, an organization that unites seventeen Ghanaian associations in the Atlanta area. Furthermore, she is an active member of the Ghanaian Women’s Association of Georgia (GWAG) and The African Women’s Public Advocacy Committee (TAWPAC).
Mr. Kwame Boakye Acheampong
Mr. Kwame Boakye Acheampongis a policy analyst and management consultant with over thirty-one years in management consulting and business development. He has worked and continues to work with United States companies that engage and explore business opportunities in Ghana, the Caribbean and Mexico.
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