The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a staff durbar on Monday, February 10, 2025, to officially welcome Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) as he assumed office as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The gathering brought together management and staff in a show of support for the new leadership.
Chief Director Amb. Ramses Cleland welcomed Ablakwa and assured him of the staff’s commitment to maintaining high diplomatic standards. He acknowledged the importance of continuity in the Ministry’s work and expressed confidence that Ablakwa’s leadership would bring improvements in efficiency and service delivery.
In his address, Ablakwa thanked the staff for the warm reception and recognized the Ministry’s role in advancing Ghana’s global interests. He outlined key priorities, including reforms in the passport acquisition process, with plans to introduce a courier delivery service and improve accessibility.
He also stressed the need to integrate biometrics across government agencies, including the National Identification Authority (NIA), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Passports, and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), to streamline national identification.
Ablakwa spoke on the performance evaluation of diplomats posted abroad, stating that clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) would be introduced to ensure their work contributes to Ghana’s foreign policy and economic objectives.
Economic diplomacy was another key focus, with plans to attract foreign investment, boost trade, and strengthen international partnerships to support Ghana’s economic growth.
On his first day in office, Ablakwa inaugurated two committees: one to oversee passport reforms and another to coordinate migration policies aimed at addressing irregular migration.
