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President
Mills calls on Diplomats to attract more
investors to Ghana
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh,
Ghanadot
Accra, Aug 30, Ghanadot - The President of Ghana, Professor John Evans Atta Mills has
called on newly appointed envoys to market Ghana well and to
adopt economic diplomacy to attract more investments into
Ghana.
He further called on the envoys designate, as frontline
representatives of Ghana, to rise above partisanship and
position Ghana to benefit immensely from the international
endorsement of its political and socio-economic progress to
improve the lives of Ghanaians.
President Mills made the call at the closing of a two-week
induction course for 38 newly appointed ambassadors, high
commissioners and one consular-general in Accra.
The President reminded the envoys-designate of the shift in
Ghana's foreign policy from the liberation of the African
Continent to that of economic diplomacy.
He urged on the envoys "to focus on the promotion of trade
and to facilitate investment flows into Ghana, particularly
into key sectors such as energy, agriculture and
agro-processing, ICT, infrastructure development and
tourism.
"We have no option but to give the people of Ghana the real
change they voted for, so must not be champagne diplomats.
Your effectiveness as representatives of the nation will be
measured by the extent to which your tenure leads to job
creation, helps us invest in our people, support the
expansion of infrastructure, assist in building a strong
economy, and lead to the building of a better Ghana,"
President Mills said.
According to him, there was little doubt that Ghana had
attained global recognition as a champion of democracy,
sound governance, and a respecter of the rule of law on the
African continent and beyond.
President Mills acknowledged that the world was paying
greater attention to Ghana since the successful outcome of
the December 2008 elections.
The recent visit to Ghana by President Barack Obama was a
strong endorsement of Ghana's political and socio-economic
progress that has been conveyed to the international
community, including the business world, about the potential
the country offers as a safe investment destination,
President Mills said.
President Mills cautioned the envoys designate to
judiciously use resources entrusted into their care,
reminding them that theirs was a privileged position to
serve and market the nation.
"I therefore wish to remind you that your elevation to the
high office of Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consular
Generals thrusts you in positions of trust and
responsibility, funded by the taxpayer, and that Ghanaians
will demand accountability from you during your duty
tour...We have no option but to give the people of Ghana the
real change they voted for,” said the President.
He reiterated his displeasure about reports on some of
Ghana's missions making undiplomatic and partisan comments
about people who went there to seek assistance.
He reminded the envoys designate that he would not accept
such conduct as he warned in London on his official trip to
there recently.
"I did not accept such unacceptable conduct months ago, and
I will not accept it in the months ahead. Be there for all
Ghanaians, and not some Ghanaians," President Mills added.
He said the search for greener pastures by young Ghanaian
men who cross the Desert and the Mediteranean posed
immgration challenges to the envoys and the diplomatic
Missions.
President Mills said Ghana did not condone the violation of
the immigration laws of any country, but asked the envoys to
be concerned about the plight of its compatriots in the
countries of their accreditation, and to explore ways of
collaborating with their host authorities to find ways of
ameliorating their plight.
He urged the envoys to conduct themselves above reproach,
and thanked them for accepting to serve the nation.
Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said
the accreditation of the envoys were being processed, and
urged dialogue between the Ministry and the envoys in the
discharge of their assignments.
Mrs Aana Ennin, an envoy-designate, thanked the President
and the nation for the confidence reposed in them.
Ghanadot
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