President Mahama swears in four envoys , tasks them to advance Ghana’s interests

President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned four ambassadors-designate and charged them to protect Ghana’s national interests, attract foreign investment and strengthen diplomatic relations to support the country’s development.

He urged the newly appointed envoys to go beyond traditional diplomatic duties and focus on creating opportunities for Ghanaians, opening new markets for local businesses and ensuring that Ghana’s voice is heard in international decision-making.

The ambassadors-designate are Nana Antwiwaa Dodoo, appointed to the Republic of Angola; Louis Kwame Obeng, to the State of Qatar; Evelyn Korantemaa Ofosu-Amable, to the State of Israel; and Jedidiah Reuben Adogla, who will serve as Ghana’s Permanent Representative to Switzerland.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Mahama said their appointments reflected confidence in their professional competence, experience and judgement, adding that their responsibilities extended beyond maintaining relations with their host countries.

He noted that the international environment was changing rapidly, with shifting alliances, increasing trade restrictions and growing competition over technology and natural resources. He said Ghana must respond by building strategic partnerships that protect its interests and strengthen its ability to produce and compete globally.

President Mahama said the country’s diplomatic missions had an important role to play in advancing the government’s Reset Agenda, particularly by attracting investments, promoting trade and supporting the creation of decent jobs.

“Our missions play an important role in identifying investors whose interests align with Ghana’s development priorities, helping Ghanaian businesses enter new markets abroad, and building relationships with institutions that can support skills development, research, and technology transfer,” he said.

He also tasked the ambassadors to help Ghana secure greater value from its natural resources, citing the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board and efforts to promote local processing of critical minerals, including lithium, bauxite and manganese.

According to him, the success of the country’s economic diplomacy would be measured by the practical opportunities and benefits the missions could deliver to Ghanaians.

The President further called on the envoys to prioritise the welfare of Ghanaians living abroad, insisting that citizens must find responsive, accessible and efficient consular services at Ghana’s diplomatic missions.

He said assistance to citizens in distress must be treated as a priority, while the government’s recognition of the diaspora as Ghana’s 17th region must translate into stronger engagement and greater opportunities for compatriots abroad to contribute their skills, investments and experience to national development.

President Mahama also outlined specific priorities for the missions, including expanding trade and investment with Angola, protecting the rights and welfare of Ghanaian workers in Qatar, and strengthening cooperation with Israel in agriculture, technology, health, water management and education.

For Ghana’s representation in Switzerland, he urged the Permanent Representative-designate to advance the country’s interests in international institutions dealing with public health, trade, labour and human rights.

He also reaffirmed Ghana’s support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stressing the need to uphold international law, protect civilians and respect the dignity of all people.

On broader international cooperation, President Mahama said Ghana’s application for partnership with the BRICS countries reflected its determination to expand development partnerships and deepen South-South cooperation while maintaining longstanding relations with traditional partners.

He urged the new envoys to work within the government’s foreign policy framework, coordinate closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and use public resources responsibly. He further asked them to take their key performance indicators seriously and ensure that their progress could be demonstrated.

President Mahama reminded the ambassadors that their conduct must reflect the dignity of the Republic of Ghana and that the confidence placed in them must be matched by professional discipline, sound judgement and accountability.

He congratulated the four envoys on their appointments and urged them to make their service count by keeping Ghana’s interests and the welfare of its people at the centre of their work.

Ghana’s Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Angola, Nana Antwiwaa Dodoo, on behalf of her other colleagues pledged to leverage international partnerships and cooperation to mobilise investments for the country’s development.

She said Ghana’s diplomatic missions had an important role to play in attracting investments that would support the successful implementation of the government’s flagship programmes and strengthen the country’s economic growth.

Madam Dodoo said the ambassadors-designate were prepared to work diligently in their respective countries of accreditation to establish meaningful partnerships that would advance Ghana’s national development priorities.

“We assure you of our preparedness to work assiduously in mobilising investments through meaningful partnerships and cooperations in our countries of accreditation in order to help with the successful implementation of government programmes, such as the Big Push infrastructure, 24-hour economy, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, among others,” she said.

She explained that their appointments were not merely positions of honour but carried the responsibility of supporting President John Dramani Mahama’s agenda to reset the country.

Madam Dodoo pledged that the ambassadors-designate would discharge their duties with dedication, selflessness and integrity, while emulating the President’s leadership values in their conduct and diplomatic engagements.

She also expressed appreciation to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for nominating them for consideration for the appointments.