Accra, Jan. 13, GNA - Mr Peter Jones, a career diplomat, has been appointed British High Commissioner to Ghana and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Togolese Republic. He succeeds Mr Nick Westcott who will be transferring to another diplomatic appointment, a statement from the British High Commission said in Accra on Thursday. It said Mr Jones would take up his appointment in May 2011.

Mr Jones joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1985 and is currently Director of Migration at the FCO. The statement said this role had involved working closely with a range of countries around the world, including in West Africa. His previous FCO positions have included policy and corporate roles in London and three overseas postings, most recently as Counsellor at the British Embassy in Rome. On his appointment as British High Commissioner to Ghana and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Togolese Republic, Mr Jones has said:

"I am honoured and delighted to be appointed to these positions.

I look forward to working closely with the Governments of Ghana and the Togolese Republic to take forward our mutual agenda, to getting to know the countries and their peoples first hand, and to working for British interests in the region. I feel privileged to have this opportunity." Mr Jones is married to Sumita Biswas. He has no child. GNA