A one-day seminar for Ghana's envoys in Europe has been held in London. The seminar afforded the envoys the opportunity to take stock of their performance and assess their contributions to, and impact on national development effort.
The seminar was held under the direction of the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs at the end of his four-day official visit to London. The seminar is the first in the series of periodic consultations on regional basis being organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss, review and re-focus Ghana's diplomatic activities to conform to the political direction of government.
Present at the seminar were Mr. Chris Kpodo, Acting Chief Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kwesi Asante, Director ,Office of the Honourable Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Mr.Zed Grant-Essilfie Director, Europe Bureau, Ministry of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Deputy High Commissioner and other senior officials of the Ghana High Commission in London.
Speaking at the seminar, Hon. Owusu Agyemang reminded the envoys of the need to continue to pursue the development agenda of the country in their respective areas of accreditation. He said as foot soldiers they should be the first point of contact to win potential investors into the country.
He expressed his profound appreciation for their sterling performance so far and cautioned them not to rest on their oars but should pursue their drive to make Ghana a good place to live in.
He announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would soon embark on a nationwide programme to educate the people in the country on the foreign policy direction of government with a view to enlisting domestic concerns for a further refinement and the modification of the policy.
On Ghana’s Foreign policy, Hon. Owusu-Agyemang said “we have taken the moral high ground on politics in Africa, because we have exhibited a high level of credibility and transparency in advocating for good governance as well as corporate governance, and above all people are now convinced that our sole agenda is to move Ghana forward.”
He described as "unprecedented, the level of goodwill that the country currently enjoys in the highest level of world politics today as a vivid demonstration of the success of Ghana’s Foreign policy and the vision espoused by His Excellency, the President of Ghana."
On the economy, Mr. Hackman Owusu Agyemang said that efforts to move the Ghanaian economy forward should be internally generated
He declared; “We must make a conscious effort to take the destiny of our country into our own hands and should not cede our future and entire development agenda to outsiders”
On foreign trips so far undertaken by the President, Mr Owusu-Agyemang said the "trips are vividly bearing fruits in sourcing the desired foreign investments for the country and helping to improve the country's relations with many countries."
In his welcome address, the High Commissioner of Ghana to the UK, H.E. Mr. Isaac Osei said the seminar was timely since it would enable the heads of Mission to re-examine their mode of operation with a view to improving on their performances in the supreme of the nation.