President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday reiterated Ghana’s call on ECOWAS states to remain loyal to the ECOWAS protocols to enhance the ideals of the sub regional body, while calling for Nigeria and its neighbours to resolve trading issues and concerns.
The President made this call when he hosted the diplomatic corps on duty tour in Ghana, to the annual Meet & Greet Diplomatic reception held at the Peduase Lodge in the Eastern Region.
In attendance were the first Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, vice president, Mahamudu Bawumia, the speaker of parliament, Rev. Prof Michael Aaron Oquaye, Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and regional Integration, Shirley Botchway and her deputies, Charles Owiredu and Mohammed Habibu Tijani, and traditional chiefs from Aburi among others.
President Akufo-Addo used to occasion to appeal to the Diplomatic Community in Ghana to report any of his appointees who engaged in acts of corruption in the course of their official dealings with them or with their offices.
“Should you, members of Diplomatic Corps be notified of any evidence of corruption against any of my appointees, I insist that they be shared with my office to enable action to be tree taken on the matter. That is better for our relations than unspecified generalized pronouncements on corruption” President Akufo-Addo said.
“it is a matter of public record that twenty one officials of the previous administration are standing trial over their involvement in alleged acts of corruption or causing financial loss to the State and prosecutions of the persons, that is, the regulators and the individuals responsible for the banking sector crisis have commenced”.
He further noted said Govt is continuing to work for prosperity for Ghana as the foundations has been laid for the economic growth, recalling that it is no surprise Ghana is now the destination of most foreign direct investment in Africa.
Recalled the granting of citizenship to some persons this year and highlighted the success of the year of return.
The President reiterated Ghana’s non aligned stance on global matters, and assured the diplomatic community in Ghana of his high optimism for the success of Dec elections.
The Colombian Ambassador to Ghana and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Claudia Turbay Quintero, in an address on behalf of all her colleagues expressed support for the several social interventions and flagship programmes of the Akufo-Addo led government. She indicated that the Diplomatic Community in Ghana recognize the importance, impact and successes of the initiatives and they stand ready to help further the progress of same. She was quick to add that the success story of the “Year of Return” initiative of Government last year, is a testament of the tourism potential of Ghana and that the Diplomatic Community is fully persuaded that during the new initiative of “Beyond the Return”, Ghana will reap the benefits of it tourism wherewithal.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey in her welcome address noted that last year was a fruitful one for her office and the Ministry as far as the working relationship with the Diplomatic Community is concerned. She pledged the Foreign Ministry’s commitment to do everything within their power to assist the Diplomatic Community in Ghana as they go about their duties.
“Last year, the Ministry started a regular briefing session for Members of the Diplomatic Corps, aimed at providing foreign Missions in Ghana with credible, accurate and reliable information on Government policies, programmes and emerging socio-economic and political developments in the country. The last of these briefings featured Ministers for Finance, National Security, Information, Interior, Energy, and my good self. At the event, all of us took turns to address issues pertaining to our respective areas of competence. In view of the high patronage and interest shown by the Diplomatic Corps in this exercise, the Ministry has now institutionalized these regular briefing sessions. Going forward, therefore, the Ministry would work in close partnership with the Council on Foreign Relations – Ghana towards enriching the programme” Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said.
