The Vice President of the Republic conducted an official visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage with leadership and staff. This historic interaction provided a platform for the Vice President to evaluate the progress of Ghana’s diplomatic corps and institutional development.
The Chief Director welcomed the delegation and noted the significance of direct engagement with the presidency. He indicated that while the Ministry regularly interacts with sector Ministers, such visits from the executive office remain rare.
Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa described the occasion as a milestone in the history of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He observed that the presence of the first female Vice President serves as a testament to the evolving political landscape of the country.
Ablakwa credited Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang for providing the foundational guidance necessary for the Ministry to achieve its current diplomatic successes. He highlighted her consistent support for the foreign policy objectives established under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama.
The MP revealed that the Vice President played a critical role in hosting the European Union delegation for a landmark defense partnership agreement. He emphasized that her prompt intervention ensured the successful conclusion of high level negotiations within a short timeframe.
The Ministry currently maintains a total workforce of 846 dedicated professionals serving both at home and abroad. Management data confirms that women constitute a dominant 60 percent of the entire staff population within the Foreign Service.
Ablakwa noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consistently ranks as the top performing institution under the Head of Civil Service. The organization recently secured multiple prestigious awards for its administrative excellence and successful policy implementation strategies.
The Ministry successfully secured the passage of a United Nations resolution identifying the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity.
The Vice President provided extensive academic consultation and research support to the team drafting this historic international resolution. Diplomatic experts relied upon her scholarly works to provide the necessary evidence for the successful adoption of the text.
“I have to confess, that in drafting the resolution we consulted Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman and we didn’t pay her any fees for it. She will forgive us for that extensive consultation without fees. Her works contributed to our research. The Global experts consistently made reference to her work and we want to place on record that this is a collective history.”
Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Honourable Okudzeto acknowledged that the achievement at the United Nations resulted from a collective effort involving various stakeholders and political leaders. He also noted that the success originated from the construction of a comprehensive coalition of global partners.
Foreign Ministry Commends Vice President and Honors Diplomatic Achievements
The Vice President expressed her profound gratitude to the staff for their tireless efforts in representing the sovereign interests of Ghana. She urged the officials to maintain high ethical standards while performing their duties in the international arena.
“For those of you in the Foreign service, you are our eyes and ears out of the country so you have a unique responsibility to ensure that the image of this country is raised and maintained.”
Her Excellency, Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman – Vice President of Ghana
The Vice President remarked that the success of the nation depends on the collective contribution of every citizen regardless of their station. She reminded the audience that those present in the room carry the voices of the millions who are not there to witness the proceedings.
Management data reveals that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently maintains a total workforce of 846 dedicated professionals. Data confirms that women constitute a dominant 60 percent of the entire staff population within the Foreign Service.
The Vice President commended the Ministry for its recent accolades and encouraged the staff to surpass their current performance levels. She noted that the work of the Foreign Service remains vital to the economic and social stability of the country.
She commended the Ministry for achieving a workforce made up of 60 percent women. She also stressed the importance of representation, noting that although all 800 staff members could not be present, those selected were there on behalf of their colleagues.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the Ministry would continue to seek synergy with the Presidency to streamline foreign policy execution. He assured the Vice President that the staff remains motivated to defend the nation’s interests in every global forum.
The Vice President received a commemorative plaque for her historic visit and distinguished service to the nation.
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