Ablakwa Faults Akufo-Addo over New Envoy Appointments
Lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has faulted President Nana Addo Dankwa over his timing for the appointment of new diplomats as according to him there won’t be any impact.
The Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament characterized the appointments as rare in a Facebook post on Tuesday, a day after their appointment.
“In most of the destinations these diplomatic envoys are being sent to, it typically takes more than 4 months to receive full accreditation to commence diplomatic duties. We also know that per our long-held traditions, Ghana’s next President will exercise his authority under Article 74 of the 1992 Constitution to appoint new Ambassadors and High Commissioners — so exactly how necessary is President Akufo-Addo’s latest mystery conduct?”
Highlighting the financial implications, he stated that the country is confronted with some pressing diplomatic issues that need the attention of the President rather than the appointment of envoys.
“President Akufo-Addo’s midnight ambassadorial appointments come at a time Ghana’s foreign service staff are struggling with worsening conditions of service, delayed salaries, rent arrears, inadequate residential accommodation and lack of a consular affairs budget.
“The harrowing plight of Ghanaian students abroad on government scholarship who continue to agitate for government assistance as Ghana’s image in the comity of nations loses its lustre cannot be glossed over.”
On Monday, June 25, 2024, President Akufo-Addo presented credentials to nine diplomats including three High Commissioners, five Ambassadors, and one Ambassador-at-Large.
The newly appointed envoys are Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, High Commissioner-designate to Nigeria; Francisca Ashietey-Oduntun, High Commissioner-designate to South Africa; Ernest Yaw Amporful, High Commissioner-designate to Rwanda; and Major General Nicholas Peter Andoh, Ambassador-designate to Türkiye.
The rest are Henry Tachie-Menson, Ambassador-designate to Belgium and the EU; Charity Gbedawo, Ambassador-designate to Morocco; Abigail Naa Adzoko Kwashi, Ambassador-designate to Norway; Dr Robert Afriyie, Ambassador-designate to Ethiopia and the African Union; and Nana Bediatuo Asante, Ambassador-at-Large.
