Accra, April 1, GNA - Mr Chris Kpodo, Deputy Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has said that the Economic community of West African States (ECOWAS) provides a lot of opportunities and hope for the people of the sub-region. He said the myriad of problems confronting the sub-region could be curtailed if the ECOWAS is able to implement the laudable ideas enshrined in its protocol, which is geared towards the integration, cooperation and development of the people of West Africa. Mr Kpodo made these observations when he appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Wednesday.

He said it was unfortunate that most member countries pay lip service to the good plans set out in the ECOWAS Protocol, which has hindered the expected benefits of the regional economic grouping. He suggested a strategy that would fast track the integration of the sub-region and the removal of barriers and strengthening of mechanisms that would facilitate the implementation of goals by ECOWAS. On Ghana's missions abroad, Mr Kpodo said currently Ghana has 53 embassies abroad and that their performances would be assessed to see their efficiency and whether they are bringing in the necessary results expected of them.

He said diplomacy was an expensive activity, which needed to be resourced and that those that are not performing efficiently would have to be closed down. On the bad treatment of Ghanaian immigrants in Libya, he said, there was the need for Ghana to investigate the allegations and if found to be true must seek readdress with the Libyan authorities. Mr Kpodo however said there was the need to educate the youth about the dangers of such adventurous journeys, adding that irrespective of whether they have the required documents or not the Ghana's mission should always assist such persons. On the frustrations of Ghanaians trained in Cuba's Isle of Youth, he said, they should not be treated as "outcast" and rather given the necessary recognition to contribute to the development of the nation. He recalled the frustrations of Ghanaians trained in Soviet Union during the Nkrumah regime who also went through the same predicament after the 1966 coup.

He said if given the nod he would assist the Minister to help build the capacity of the institution and that the staff would also benefit from such programmes. Mr Kpodo said he would take stock of the situation and retrain and reorient staff members where necessary. Mr Kpodo, 63, was instrumental in the opening of a mission in Namibia, South Africa and was also Ghana's Deputy High Commissioner to London from 1997 to 2001 and Ambassador to Democratic Republic of Congo in 2003.

He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1973 and has worked also in Mali and Cuba. He retired from the service in 2006.