General News of Saturday, 19 April 2003

Source: GNA

Adopt Economic Diplomacy To Attract Investments

The Minister of the Interior designate and outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman on Thursday appealed to Ghana's Ambassadors and the Ministry staff to continue with the policy of contemporary economic diplomacy to attract investments into the country.

He said "modern economic trends, fast developing information technological system and general globalisation demands that local and foreign mission staffs adopts economic diplomacy to woo investors for accelerated development."

Mr Owusu-Agyeman was speaking at a reception organised by the Ministry for him and his deputy Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, who has been elevated to Cabinet status as the Minister for Works and Housing.

The Outgoing Minister, who said he was leaving the Foreign Service with heavy heart and emotions, however, noted that governments exist to contribute to the total development of its people, which the ruling New Patriotic Party had over the past 28 months exhibited through humane policies and quality leadership.

He commended the staff of the Ministry, who had helped to achieve the vision to change the sinking image of the country to a more glorious one within the past 28 months. He also commended the Ambassadors of India, China, UK and USA for their hard work in attracting foreign investors into the country within a limited time.

Other speakers included the Alhaji Idris, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo the incoming Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador K. B. Asante. Some of the Directors of the Ministry commended the outgoing Minister and challenged the incoming Minister to continue with the laudable achievements of Mr Owusu-Agyeman and Alhaji Idris. They especially urged the incoming Minister to consider improving the infrastructure facilities of the Ministry.