President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday presented Letters of Credence to 10 newly appointed High Commissioner and Ambassadors at the Jubilee House, Accra.
They are Ambassador Ahmed Hassan, former Director of State Protocol, Ambassador-at-Large, Mrs Merene Benyah, Ambassador-designate for Italy, who replaces the former ambassador extraordinaire and plenipotentiary to Italy, the late Eudora Hilda Quartey-Koranteng, who passed on 19th October 2021 and Mrs Worwornyo Agyeman, High Commissioner-designate to Sierra Leone.
Others include Mr Mohammed Nurudeen Ismalia, Ambassador-designate to Qatar, Ms Mavis Esi Kusorgbor, Ambassador-designate to Angola and Mrs Lydia Ofosua Amartey, Ambassador-designate to Israel.
The rest are Ambassador Emmanuel Kwame Asiedu Antwi, Switzerland, Mrs Florence Buerki Akonor, High Commissioner-designate to Malaysia, Mrs Emma Mensah, Ambassador-designate to Senegal and Mr Henry Tachie-Menson, Chief of Protocol, Ambassador-In-Situ.
At a short ceremony, President Akufo-Addo said they were carefully chosen for their assignments because they had distinguished themselves in the foreign service.
The President exhorted the diplomats to safeguard, protect and promote the high image of Ghana at all times.
The President told the diplomats that they represented a country which was regarded as one of the most stable on the continent, a beacon of democracy and governed by the rule of law and respect for individual liberties, human rights and the principles of democratic accountability.
He said the diplomats were the most visible symbol of the country out there and in all their actions, must guard jealousy the country’s image.
“You have the onerous responsibility of preserving and promoting the image of our country whose reputation today amongst the comity of nations is high’ the President told them, adding that, he was confident that this was a charge they must uphold.
President Akufo-Addo urged them to strive to develop and maintain cordial working relations with the professional foreign service officers they find at their duty post, as their valuable experience and knowledge of the terrain would help their work.
“You would need their assistance and they would need your guidance. Mutual respect is the key to harmonious working relations,” he emphasised.
The President also entreated them to maintain good rapport with Ghanaians in their country of accreditation to gain their respect.
“They will be counting and looking up to you to champion not only our nation’s interest but theirs as well. Do your best not to disappoint them.”
He asked the envoys to at all times stay true to the country’s objective to achieve a prosperous Ghana.
Ambassador Emmanuel Antwi, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said they were mindful of the huge responsibility placed on them and pledge that they would play their respective roles in achieving the vision of the President.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD
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