Full Text: Address by Foreign Affairs Minister to members of the Diplomatic Corps at Jubilee House

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has among other things, appealed to members of the Diplomatic Corps in Ghana to treat Ghanaians who apply for visas with dignity.

He made the call during an event at the Jubilee House in Accra on February 27.

Please read full statement below:

REMARKS BY THE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
HONOURABLE SAMUEL OKUDZETO ABLAKWA, ON THE OCCASION
OF THE EXCHANGE OF NEW YEAR GREETINGS WITH MEMBERS
OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS, AT THE JUBILEE HOUSE, ACCRA ON
THURSDAY,27TH FEBRUARY 2025
Your Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana,
Your Excellency the First Lady,
Your Excellency the Vice President,
Chairman of the Council of State,
The Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament,
Her Ladyship the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court,
Ministers of State,
Deputy Ministers of State,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Your Excellency the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Your Excellencies Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Esteemed Traditional and Religious Leaders,
Members of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honour to gather here at the Jubilee House, the heart of our government, to share New Year greetings. I extend our warmest wishes for a year filled with peace,  prosperity, and strengthened partnerships. I also wish to thank you for the historic attendance of world leaders at the swearing-in ceremony of President John Mahama and the numerous congratulatory messages, a testament to the confidence you repose in our efforts in advancing democracy.

The New Year prompts us to reflect on past challenges and achievements and reaffirm our dedication to the principles of the global community. Despite variousglobal challenges, including conflicts, isolationlisim, transactional diplomacy, and
economic crises, our commitment to multilateralism true enduring partnerships and dialogue has remained firm, helping us to navigate these issues together.

We remain dedicated to fostering multilateralism and the tenets of diplomacy in the firm belief that isolationism will not serve our continent well. The array of global challenges we face, such as terrorism, inequality, and food insecurity, require a
collective resolve.

Our continued cooperation with nations and international bodies like the ECOWAS, the AU, the UN and other global organisations is crucial in addressing these issues and advocating for fairer global governance. We are making efforts to have effective engagements with all relevant international actors and to ratify all international instruments that we have signed onto.

Central to our foreign policy is our commitment to being friends to all and enemies to none, upholding respect for sovereignty and peaceful coexistence. We continue to prioritize strengthening our ties through diplomacy, trade, and cultural exchanges.

Economic diplomacy remains a cornerstone of our international strategy, acknowledging that strong economic relationships catalyze sustainable development. We are focused on fostering beneficial trade agreements and equitable
economic policies. We are also working on labour agreements that provide added decent job opportunities which guarantee the dignity and right of the Ghanaian youth.

In today’s digital age, we recognize the importance of digital diplomacy. We are committed to ensuring that technological advancements promote inclusive growth and ethical governance. Our goal is to create a digital space that supports equitable
access and innovation while protecting rights.

As we face the realities of climate change, it is imperative to enhance our efforts in environmental sustainability and climate adaptation. We are ready to collaborate on initiatives that address this critical issue through sustainable action.

Moreover, global economic uncertainties, cybercrime, terrorism, food insecurity and pandemics are pressing challenges that need a unified response. These threats to global stability and security make it clear that comprehensive cooperation and stronger security frameworks are necessary.

This is why the Ministry is working on a Comprehensive Foreign Policy and has created a Delivery Unit to ensure
efficiency and responsiveness in our engagements. Having being inundated with complaints from our fellow compatriots, we would like to entreat all Diplomatic Missions in Ghana to ensure that they treat our nationals who visit their premises in pursuit of their visa applications with dignity and respect.

We also implore you to provide conducive waiting areas, emergency services, reasonable waiting time for appointments and address challenges in using visa application websites. Some diplomatic missions are doing a great job in this regard, for which we duly convey our commendations.

As we begin this New Year, let us recommit to our goals of dialogue, true partnership, and multilateral engagement. We look forward to deepening our diplomatic and economic relationships and advancing our shared objectives for the
benefit of our nations and the world.

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is open to you at all times. And I really mean this.

Once again, I extend my heartfelt wishes for a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous new year to you all, and may our collective efforts in diplomacy continue to lead us toward a future of progress and success.

Thank you.

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