President John Dramani Mahama on Friday swore-in two ambassadors-designate with a call on them to lift the image of Ghana and to further strengthen the already cordial relations Ghana has with Japan and Saudi Arabia.

This, he said, they could do by strengthening relations in the areas of trade, commerce and general investments.

President Mahama said: "Your relations with your various countries are very crucial and I implore all of you to work hard to attract investments and trade relations that will benefit all of us."

The new envoys are Mr Said Sinare who is going to Saudi Arabia and Mr Sylvester Jude Parker-Allotey, Ambassador-designate to Japan.

On Japan, President Mahama tasked the new envoy to renew discussions with the Japanese government to restore the Yen loan portfolio to Ghana that was suspended when government went in for the Heavily Indebted and Poor Countries (HIPC) programme.

He said Japan had been instrumental in the socio-economic development of Ghana and called for more partnerships that would enhance development in Ghana and beyond.

President Mahama also urged the Ambassador-designate to iron out issues that had dented the country's reputation and to restore investor confidence in the country.

On Saudi Arabia, President Mahama said the Kingdom had over the years been supportive of Ghana and urged the Ambassador-designate to put in place measures that would allow the country to access adequate funding from the Gulf Fund.

Alhaji Sinare on behalf of his colleague commended President Mahama for the confidence reposed in them and gave the assurance that they would work hard to achieve the development goals of the country.