Mövenpick honours 5 distinguished Ghanaian diplomats

Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra has honoured five exceptional Ghanaian diplomats for their significant contributions to international relations and national development. 

The event, dubbed Ambassador’s Night, showcased the hotel's commitment to recognising individuals who have elevated Ghana’s image on the global stage through international relations and diplomacy over the decades.

The honorees, seasoned diplomats and foreign affairs experts whose careers have spanned decades, each had a meeting place at the hotel named after them to celebrate their dedication to fostering diplomacy, advancing trade and strengthening bilateral relationships between Ghana and the international community.

The ceremony, which is the first of its kind, featured a vibrant blend of Ghanaian culture, including performances by traditional drummers and the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel Choir, and an awards presentation.

The event also drew participation from government officials, business leaders and representatives from various embassies in Ghana. It served as a platform to deepen collaboration between the hospitality sector and diplomatic corps, reinforcing Mövenpick’s role as a hub for cultural and diplomatic exchanges in Accra.

Present at the ceremony were the Dean of the Diplomatic Corp and Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, Maher Kheir; the UN Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani; the Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Simone Giger, and the Ivorian Ambassador to Ghana, Felix Assielou Tanon, among others.

 Honorees

They were the Seventh UN Secretary-General (1997-2006), Kofi Annan; the First African President of the UN General Assembly (1964-1965), Dr Alexander Quaison-Sackey; the Current African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas”.

The rest were “the only surviving member of the Group of 10 Pioneers recruited in 1955 into Ghana’s Diplomatic Service, Ambassador Richard Maximilian Akwei, and the First Ghanaian woman to serve as Foreign Minister (1979), Mrs Gloria Adwoa Nikoi”.

It also saw the Minister of  Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, rewarded for her election as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

Rationale

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the acting General Manager of Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Isaac Okpoti Adjei, emphasised the importance of acknowledging the hard work and sacrifices of diplomats.

"Diplomats are the unsung heroes who tirelessly build bridges across cultures, open doors for economic opportunities, and represent the essence of Ghana's values to the world. Tonight, we celebrate their legacy and impact," he stated.

Mr Adjei indicated that the idea was to bring the international community together and also position the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel as a hub for diplomacy and international relations.  

He affirmed that the Ambassador’s Night would become an annual event, aiming to spotlight outstanding individuals across different sectors who made an impact both locally and internationally.

In a speech read on her behalf by Ambassador Jennifer Lartey, the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister described the event as a “powerful reminder of the past forged by those who came before and render selfless service”.

Ms Botchwey urged the participants to use the occasion to reflect on the profound responsibility they carried as diplomats to continue building on the legacies of the forerunners in the field of diplomacy and international relations.

“Let us use this gathering to affirm our shared responsibility to advancing peace, cooperation and development. Let it not be of only recognition but a renewed commitment to collective partnerships,” she stated.

One of the awardees, Ambassador Richard Maximilian Akwei, expressed gratitude on behalf of the honorees.

"This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of all diplomats and their teams. I am grateful for this recognition and I hope it inspires others to continue striving for excellence in service to our country and the world," he said.