The Foreign Minister, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has launched an unprecedented initiative that seeks to bring the seat of Ghana’s foreign policy closer to Ghanaians living beyond the country’s borders.
His new strategy? Rotating the office of the Foreign Minister across regions with significant Ghanaian populations, beginning right here on the African continent.
In an era when government officials often prioritize foreign missions in Europe and North America, this novel move by the Foreign Minister is not only refreshing but a direct challenge to the status quo.
“This week, I commenced a special initiative of rotating my office and making the Foreign Minister more accessible to Ghanaians everywhere in the world.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Accordingly, Hon. Ablakwa framed the effort as one that aims to decentralize power and bring leadership directly to the people.
“I have so far spent two days in Benin interacting with the vibrant Ghanaian community here, meeting Ghanaian students on a French-Year-Abroad Programme, speaking with Ghanaian entrepreneurs, meeting with staff of STC, and holding talks with the impressively organized leadership of the Ghanaian community in Benin.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
This is more than symbolic diplomacy. Ablakwa’s direct interactions with citizens and embassy staff are already shaping the policy approaches he intends to pursue upon his return to Accra.
He emphasized that his exclusive engagement with Ghana’s diplomatic mission has been particularly valuable, as it will inform more targeted and effective interventions back home.
In addition to his meetings and consultations, Ablakwa personally inspected all of Ghana’s diplomatic properties in Benin to better understand their current condition.
This firsthand assessment, he explained, is essential to developing a more informed and targeted policy response.
This rotating office concept is not a one-off stunt but a sustained, long-term commitment. “I intend to embark on this special office rotation and working visits initiative regularly. Looking forward to spending the next 3 days in Nigeria,” he said.
Africa Must Come First
Furthermore, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa emphasized the need for Ghana to reassess its approach to diaspora engagement.
He argued that the country has long overlooked African countries where a significant number of Ghanaians reside during diasporan policy implementation.
Ablakwa called for a more balanced and inclusive strategy that recognizes the contributions and potential of the Ghanaian diaspora across the entire continent.
“Ghana may also have to rethink some of this piloting. If you have observed, anytime there is talk of piloting a government initiative, many government officials think about only Europe and the Americas.
“[Do] you remember the representation of the People’s Amendment Act? The whole debate focused on Europe and America.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
In contrast, Ghanaian communities in neighboring countries such as Benin, Togo, and Nigeria often remain excluded from key policy planning and government initiatives.
Hon. Samuel Ablakwa expressed concern that these nearby populations—despite their proximity and potential ease of inclusion—are frequently overlooked.
He highlighted the missed opportunity to involve them more meaningfully and ensure their rights and needs are addressed.
He cited as an example the rollout of expensive pilot programs like the Ghana Card initiative, which was launched in distant countries like Canada, while many Ghanaians living just across Ghana’s borders still lack access.
This disparity, he argued, reflects a deeper flaw in Ghana’s foreign policy mindset and priorities.
Ablakwa called for a paradigm shift, urging policymakers to recognize the significant Ghanaian presence across West Africa.
According to him, the combined Ghanaian populations in Benin, Togo, and Nigeria likely surpass those in many other parts of the world, underscoring the need for more strategic and inclusive diaspora engagement across the region.
“If we really are implementing policies to benefit Ghanaians who have travelled, Ghanaians in the diaspora, then we should be looking home. We should be starting from home.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
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