Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced the rollout of a landmark performance framework that will put economic diplomacy at the centre of Ghana’s foreign policy.
Speaking at the Ghana-Japan Presidential Investment Forum held on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9) in Yokohama, the Minister said the initiative was a direct charge from President John Dramani Mahama to ensure that Ghana’s diplomacy tangibly benefits its people.
Hon. Ablakwa revealed that beginning September 1, President Mahama will officially launch key performance indicators (KPIs) for all Ghanaian ambassadors and diplomats around the world.
The move, which he described as unprecedented in the country’s history, will serve as a structured tool to measure the economic impact of Ghana’s diplomatic engagements.
“When President Mahama appointed me, the charge he gave me, his marching orders, was that we should prioritize economic diplomacy. And so you will have observed that in all we have been doing at the foreign ministry, we have put the economic fortunes of our country at the forefront because that is the mandate the President has given us.
“On the 1st of September, the President will be launching the first of its kind, a novel KPI for all ambassadors and diplomats from the Republic of Ghana. This has never happened in our history. And when you peruse that document, you will see that economic diplomacy is at the heart of it”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The minister emphasized that the KPIs will ensure that Ghana’s diplomacy delivers tangible results, stressing that the President wants Ghana’s diplomats to make a greater impact.
“Our diplomacy must lead to the improvement in the lives of the people. Diplomacy must promote investment and diplomacy must create a safe haven for all of those who invest in our country. And that is what the foreign ministry has been charged to do”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Environment of Trust
Highlighting President Mahama’s track record since assuming office in January, Hon. Ablakwa noted that the government has respected all international agreements it inherited. He said this consistency has created an environment of trust and confidence for investors, particularly Japanese companies operating in Ghana.
“Japanese businesses are thriving, and you all know that no Japanese business, no contractual arrangement that was inherited, has been adversely affected. And so we are delighted to see the progress that Japanese car manufacturers like Toyota, Chusho, Honda, Suzuki, all these brands are doing very well, expanding, and creating jobs”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
According to the minister, the Ghanaian government’s unwavering respect for contracts and predictable policy environment has reassured investors and bolstered Ghana-Japan trade relations.
He referenced feedback from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), which recently confirmed that Japanese businesses were experiencing a positive climate for investment in Ghana.
Hon. Ablakwa echoed the Trade Minister’s earlier remarks that investing in Ghana means gaining access not only to the country’s population of 33 million but also to the wider African market through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“When you invest in Ghana, you are not only investing in a stable democratic country, which offers you a market of some 33 million Ghanaians, but you are also investing in the gateway to Africa.
“Ghana hosts the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, which is the largest trading block in the world currently, where you are guaranteed a market of 1.3 billion Africans”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Protecting Investment
The minister assured Japanese investors that Ghana takes seriously its role as Africa’s gateway and is committed to protecting their investments while guaranteeing good returns.
He pledged the full support of Ghana’s diplomatic missions and institutions such as the GIPC, Ministry of Trade, and Ghana Export Promotion Authority in providing seamless assistance to businesses.
“As I wrap up, the pledge that we make to you as a foreign ministry of Ghana is that when you decide to invest in Ghana, you can count on our full and integrated support, right from the support that our Ambassador Akpaloo here will give you at our mission in Tokyo all the way to what GIPC, the Ministry of Trade, and others working in concert will afford you. We are determined to ensure that your investment is not only protected but you also have good returns”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Hon. Ablakwa further argued that under President Mahama’s “visionary and pragmatic leadership,” Ghana is positioned as one of the best destinations for investment on the continent.
“Under President Mahama, you can be assured that your choice in Ghana, choosing Ghana, will be the best decision that you ever made because you cannot go wrong when you invest in Ghana and particularly investing at this time,” he declared.
The Foreign Minister also commended the Japanese government for its enduring support to Ghana, highlighting not only the expanding trade and investment relations but also several developmental projects funded by Japan.
These include the Volvo Bridge Project, the Tamale Electricity Expansion Project, the Kumasi Ring Road Project, and the continuous presence of Japanese volunteers working in Ghana.
“You are always friendly to Ghana. You are not imposing tariffs. You are opening up your space for us. You are attracting more Ghanaian businesses. And you are also expanding your social contributions to our country”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Hon. Ablakwa paid tribute to figures who contributed significantly to Ghana-Japan relations, citing the legacy of Hideyo Noguchi and other pioneers whose work laid the foundations for bilateral cooperation. He said Ghana was committed to strengthening these historic ties while creating new avenues for trade and investment.
Looking ahead, he expressed optimism that the Ghana-Japan Presidential Investment Forum would usher in a new phase of economic collaboration. “We have no doubt that we are going to double our trade investment portfolios. We are going to have more businesses from Japan and also we are going to have a lot more businesses from Ghana now investing in Japan,” he noted.
The minister concluded with a message of confidence and partnership: “There is a lot to celebrate about Ghana-Japan relations and we have no doubt that today’s Presidential Investment Forum is going to open more doors and usher us into a new dispensation of greater prospects between our two countries.”
