President John Atta Mills
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29th August, 2009
Pursue Economic Diplomacy - President
President John Evans Atta Mills has asked newly appointed envoys to Ghana’s diplomatic missions to seriously pursue “economic diplomacy,” to support the government’s efforts at improving the economy for socio-economic development of the citizenry.
“Economic diplomacy now occupies prominent position in Ghana’s foreign policy, and requires you, our diplomatic agents, to focus on the promotion of trade and to facilitate the investment inflows into Ghana,” he said.
Addressing the newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners in Accra at the end of an induction seminar to prepare them for their posts, President Mills asked the envoys to lead initiatives towards attracting investments, particularly into key sectors such as energy, agriculture, agro-processing, ICT, infrastructure development and tourism.
Ghana, he said, needs “proactive diplomacy, and not reactive diplomacy” to address her numerous economic challenges.
He said there was little doubt that Ghana had attained global recognition as a champion of democracy, sound governance and a respecter of the rule of law in Africa and beyond, citing last December’s peaceful elections and the visit of United States President Obama, as strong endorsement of Ghana’s political and socio-economic progress that had been conveyed to the international community.
“We must position Ghana well to benefit immensely from this international endorsement,” he said, and entreated the envoys to maximise returns on the credibility the country was enjoying through hard work that would translate into benefits for Ghanaians.
President Mills cautioned them against poor performance, saying he would not hesitate to recall those whose performances were unsatisfactory.
“Your effectiveness as representatives of the nation will be measured by the extent to which your tenure leads to job creation, helps to invest in our people, supports the expansion of infrastructure and assists in building a stronger economy,” he told them.
The President also urged the new envoys to pursue initiatives that could help government to deal with the menace of illegal migration.
He stressed on the serious adverse effect illegal migration was having on the country, saying, “whether pushed by domestic situations or pulled by the dictates of globalization, Ghana is losing young men and women to illegal migration.”
He said many young Ghanaians often fell victim to illegal migration, in search of greener pastures and ended up in harsh conditions abroad.
In the interest of ensuring the safety and welfare of all Ghanaians abroad, he urged the envoys to be concerned about the plight of Ghanaians who have found themselves in unfortunate conditions as a result of illegal migration.
“While Ghana does not condone the violation of immigration laws of other countries, I entreat you to keep to the duty of protecting the welfare of Ghanaian citizens in your countries of accreditation,” he said, and encouraged them to collaborate with their host countries in ameliorating the plight of Ghanaians who have fallen foul of immigration laws.
He also urged them to be non-partisan in their dealings with Ghanaians abroad, stressing that they should be fair to all irrespective of people’s political affiliations.
Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, asked the envoys to be guided by Ghana’s foreign policy of peace and protection for her citizen abroad.
He said as representatives of the country, they must work hard to build a favourable perception about Ghana while seeking to promote direct foreign investment into the country.
Alhaji Mumuni entreated the envoys to study the new terrain to which they were being posted and accordingly inform and advise the government through the ministry on issues which will help foster good international and economic ties.
He told them that irrespective of the fact that the missions abroad were faced with some challenges, they must work hard to ensure that their activities did not exceed planned budgets.
Alhaji Mumuni assured them that the foreign ministry would continue to strive to ensure that they were well equipped to enable them to promote and defend the interest of Ghana.
Madam Anan Enin, Ambassador-designate, giving an overview of the induction seminar thanked the president for the confidence reposed in them by their appointments.
She expressed the determination of the envoys to live up to expectation, especially, with the paradigm shift of Ghana’s foreign diplomacy policy to economic targets in a competitive global market.
Madam Enin stressed the need for the diplomatic missions to be retooled and provided with resources to enable them envoys to carry out their duties vigorously to promote national interest abroad.
“Economic diplomacy now occupies prominent position in Ghana’s foreign policy, and requires you, our diplomatic agents, to focus on the promotion of trade and to facilitate the investment inflows into Ghana,” he said.
Addressing the newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners in Accra at the end of an induction seminar to prepare them for their posts, President Mills asked the envoys to lead initiatives towards attracting investments, particularly into key sectors such as energy, agriculture, agro-processing, ICT, infrastructure development and tourism.
Ghana, he said, needs “proactive diplomacy, and not reactive diplomacy” to address her numerous economic challenges.
He said there was little doubt that Ghana had attained global recognition as a champion of democracy, sound governance and a respecter of the rule of law in Africa and beyond, citing last December’s peaceful elections and the visit of United States President Obama, as strong endorsement of Ghana’s political and socio-economic progress that had been conveyed to the international community.
“We must position Ghana well to benefit immensely from this international endorsement,” he said, and entreated the envoys to maximise returns on the credibility the country was enjoying through hard work that would translate into benefits for Ghanaians.
President Mills cautioned them against poor performance, saying he would not hesitate to recall those whose performances were unsatisfactory.
“Your effectiveness as representatives of the nation will be measured by the extent to which your tenure leads to job creation, helps to invest in our people, supports the expansion of infrastructure and assists in building a stronger economy,” he told them.
The President also urged the new envoys to pursue initiatives that could help government to deal with the menace of illegal migration.
He stressed on the serious adverse effect illegal migration was having on the country, saying, “whether pushed by domestic situations or pulled by the dictates of globalization, Ghana is losing young men and women to illegal migration.”
He said many young Ghanaians often fell victim to illegal migration, in search of greener pastures and ended up in harsh conditions abroad.
In the interest of ensuring the safety and welfare of all Ghanaians abroad, he urged the envoys to be concerned about the plight of Ghanaians who have found themselves in unfortunate conditions as a result of illegal migration.
“While Ghana does not condone the violation of immigration laws of other countries, I entreat you to keep to the duty of protecting the welfare of Ghanaian citizens in your countries of accreditation,” he said, and encouraged them to collaborate with their host countries in ameliorating the plight of Ghanaians who have fallen foul of immigration laws.
He also urged them to be non-partisan in their dealings with Ghanaians abroad, stressing that they should be fair to all irrespective of people’s political affiliations.
Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, asked the envoys to be guided by Ghana’s foreign policy of peace and protection for her citizen abroad.
He said as representatives of the country, they must work hard to build a favourable perception about Ghana while seeking to promote direct foreign investment into the country.
Alhaji Mumuni entreated the envoys to study the new terrain to which they were being posted and accordingly inform and advise the government through the ministry on issues which will help foster good international and economic ties.
He told them that irrespective of the fact that the missions abroad were faced with some challenges, they must work hard to ensure that their activities did not exceed planned budgets.
Alhaji Mumuni assured them that the foreign ministry would continue to strive to ensure that they were well equipped to enable them to promote and defend the interest of Ghana.
Madam Anan Enin, Ambassador-designate, giving an overview of the induction seminar thanked the president for the confidence reposed in them by their appointments.
She expressed the determination of the envoys to live up to expectation, especially, with the paradigm shift of Ghana’s foreign diplomacy policy to economic targets in a competitive global market.
Madam Enin stressed the need for the diplomatic missions to be retooled and provided with resources to enable them envoys to carry out their duties vigorously to promote national interest abroad.
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