Diplomatic Corps Shake-up

... Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe moves to Serbia
... Retired Military Officers 'appeased'?
TWELVE new Heads of Foreign Missions have been appointed by the government.

The new appointees include Mr Leslie Kojo Christian of Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Ghana Mission at the United Nations (New York); Mr Akilaja O. Akiwumi, a Senior International Civil Servant for Egypt; Mr Kofi Sekyiamah, former Chief Director of the Information Services Department moves to Australia;

Maj-Gen F. Adu-Amanfoh, Former Head of Defence Intelligence, Ghana Armed Forces, Liberia
Alhaji Rashid Bawa, Former Minister of State in charge of Youth and Sports, for Saudi Arabia
Air Vice Marshall Edward A. Mantey, ex-Head of Ghana?s air force, Russian Federation
Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, Former Chairman, Ghana Football Association, Serbia & Montenegro
Rear Admiral John K. Gbenah, a retired Navy Commander, Zimbabwe.
Mrs Afua Daaku, Lecturer and Social Worker for Namibia
Dr (Mrs) Mokowa Blay Adu-Gyamfi, a Medical Doctor, Sierra Leone
Mr Mogtari Sahanun, Former Upper West Regional Minister, Burkina Faso
Major-General C. B. Yaachie, ex-Chief of Army Staff, for Mali.

As part of their preparation before assuming office early next month, a two-week induction course for them began in Accra yesterday.

Addressing them, Nana Akufo-Addo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said since their appointment was a reflection of the trust and confidence the President reposed in them, they should live up to expectation.

"It is a matter of national pride that Ghana is seen as a beacon of democratic values in Africa, and so you must live in accordance with these values," he said.

He said the government had done its best to carve a niche for the country internationally hence the need for them to work hard to build on the gains of the country.

Describing the diplomats as "a very important pool of talents," he asked them "to hold high the banner of the new Ghana."

He advised them to vigorously pursue "economic diplomacy," which he defined as a way of finding market access for Ghana?s traditional and non-traditional produce and other investment opportunities.

"We have a good story to tell about the fortunes of Ghana and you here, are among the story tellers that we may continue to grow and our record enhanced in the eyes of the international community.

"That this time, the Ghanaian people are resolved that they will not allow themselves to be deceived, short-changed or taken through the wrong alleys and leave behind the era of upheavals," he said.

He said that the democratic gains of the country were enormous and no one should allow themselves to be misled.

The Minister said that although a number of people had questioned the rationale behind the repeal of the "infamous criminal libel law," it was the avowed conviction of government that the media must be free.
"There was and still is the need for free media. At the end of the day, water will find its own level - irresponsible media will naturally phase out," he said.

Nana Akufo-Addo said that an ever-increasing Gross Domestic Product, the relative stability of the cedi in relation to other major currencies and the low interest rates were among the numerous gains the diplomats should help to further improve upon.