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0 President John Mahama on Monday, February 9, commissioned five new envoys, charging them to articulate a Ghanaian voice that speaks with clarity, confidence, and conviction in pursuit of an Africa that is respected, prosperous and united.
The five new envoys include Alhaji Said Saleh Sinare, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lieutenant Colonel Al Hajj Umar Sanda Ahmed (Rtd), Ambassador to Mali; Kofi Attor, Ambassador to Cuba; Emmanuel Opeku, Ambassador-in-Situ and Regina Appiah-Sam, High Commissioner to Malta.
The President in his remarks at the Presidency in Accra, said Ghana’s diplomacy would be judged not by its ceremony alone, but by results.
“Your work must translate into jobs, growth, opportunities, security and measurable benefits for our people,” he said.
“You are expected to pursue economic diplomacy with urgency by attracting strategic investments, expanding non-traditional exports, promoting tourism, facilitating innovation and technology transfer, and strengthening Ghana’s competitiveness in global markets.”
President Mahama said every partnership they built, every market they opened and every investor they attracted would serve a broader national purpose.
He said the government had embarked on a Reset Agenda grounded in integrity, efficiency, accountability, and results-driven governance.
He noted that as heads of mission, they were required to reflect this national reset by moving from passive representation to purposeful engagement, from routine reporting to proactive problem-solving and from presence to impact.
“Your mission plans must be firmly aligned with Ghana’s development priorities. In this regard, the government has introduced a performance management framework for heads of mission anchored in clear key performance indicators.”
The President reiterated that this framework was designed to strengthen accountability, reward excellence, improve service delivery and ensure that every mission functions as a strategic tool for national development.
He noted that their performance would be assessed on outcomes in trade and investment, the quality of partnerships they build, the efficiency of consular services, engagement with the Ghanaian diaspora and the prudent management of public resources.
He said at the same time, high performance must be matched with discipline and prudence.
The President said the Government had approved cost containment measures, including rent ceilings for missions and a shift away from unsustainable rental and leasing arrangements.
“I expect full compliance with all directives and procurement procedures,” he stated.
President Mahama said Ghana’s diplomacy must be known not only for excellence, but also for value for money, transparency, and responsible stewardship.
He emphasised that beyond policies and targets, diplomacy was ultimately about character.
“You are the living faces of Ghana.
Conduct yourselves with dignity, discipline, and humility,” he said.
“Uphold the highest ethical standards, respect confidentiality and let your conduct reflect the values we cherish. Those are honesty, respect, fairness, professionalism and service.”
He urged them to listen carefully, speak thoughtfully, negotiate wisely, and represent Ghana with calm confidence.
He urged them to engage with their diaspora with seriousness and empathy.
He said the Ghanaian diaspora remained a vital national asset, contributing to the economy, projecting Ghanaian culture, and supporting national renewal.
He therefore urged them to make their missions welcoming, responsive to their issues, and humane, ensuring that every Ghanaian abroad receives professional and compassionate assistance.
He also encouraged them to work collaboratively with all staff across their respective missions and to foster harmonious, disciplined, and professional work environments.
“Effective leadership abroad begins with unity within the mission. As I commission you today, I do it with confidence in your competence and dedication,” the President said.
He said Ghana expected excellence and that they must serve with purpose, and he marked their tenure with results, stronger partnerships, expanded opportunities for their people, and a higher standing for their nation in the Committee of Nations.
Colonel Al Hajj Umar Sanda Ahmed (Rtd), Ambassador to Mali, on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the President for the honour done to them.
He pledged they would deliver on the mandate from the President.
Present at the ceremony was Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
