12 New envoys receive letters of credence
President John Dramani Mahama yesterday presented letters of credence to 12 new high commissioners and ambassadors with a charge to carry a positive image of the country in their designated countries.
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He said they were representing Ghana and not themselves and that whatever they did would have a direct bearing on the country's image.
The new envoys include veteran journalist, Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Haruna Atta, who is heading for Namibia; Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, a former Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Algeria; Mrs Irene Dede Narko Maamah, Senegal, and Mrs Mercy Yvonne Debrah-Karikari, Australia.
Others are Prof. Samuel Mbrayeh Quartey, Morocco; Mr San Nasamu M. Asabigi, Burkina Faso; Lt. Gen. Peter Augustine Blay, Côte d'Ivoire, and Major Gen. Carl Setorwu Modey, Sierra Leone.
The rest are Mr Samuel Panyin Yalley, India; Dr Kodzo Kpoku Alabo, Russia; Mr Benjamin Clement Eghan, Malaysia, and Mr Alex Asum-Ahinsan, Equatorial Guinea.
They took three oaths - allegiance, secrecy and official- before they were presented with their letters of credence.
The President said recently, two developments in Ghana's missions in China and Japan embarrassed the nation and stressed that such situations must be avoided.
New role
President Mahama said the role of envoys had changed from the “drinking of champagne and partying” to seeking investment for the nation.
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It was in that respect that he urged them to brace themselves for the task ahead.
The President stated that there were challenges in some of the missions, especially with regard to accommodation, and said the government was taking steps to address them.
One of the challenges was how to secure permanent accommodation and thus avoid the payment of high rent charges. "We want to own our own properties and put them in good condition," he said.
Response
Responding on behalf of the envoys, Prof. Quartey thanked the President for the honour done them and pledged that they would work assiduously to meet expectations.