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Prez Mahama launches KPIs for envoys at foreign affairs ministry ambassadors conference
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High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives and Consuls-General from Ghana’s missions across the world have gathered in Accra for the 2025 Conference of Heads of Mission.
The five-day event, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, is being held under the theme “Harnessing the Dividends of Diplomacy for Ghana’s Reset Agenda.”
It is aimed at creating a platform for engagement between Ghana’s Heads of Mission and relevant stakeholders.
The highlight of the opening ceremony was the launch of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for foreign missions by President John Dramani Mahama.
The President in his address indicated that the KPIs would be used to measure performance, ensure accountability, and strengthen the delivery of Ghana’s foreign policy objectives.
He explained that Ghana’s envoys would now be judged by results such as the scale of investments, trade opportunities, and partnerships they help secure for the country rather than protocol or ceremonial duties.
Mr. Mahama reminded the envoys that the Reset Agenda was not only about reforms at home but also about reshaping Ghana’s presence abroad.
He said the country’s foreign missions must evolve into hubs of economic engagement, tasked with attracting investment, expanding export markets, mobilising the diaspora, and promoting innovation.
He urged envoys to embody integrity, professionalism, and efficiency in their work, stressing that the credibility of Ghana’s diplomacy was inseparable from the credibility of governance.
According to him, the distinction between foreign and domestic policy had become increasingly blurred in today’s interconnected world, and agreements reached abroad would have direct impacts on Ghanaian communities.
On global affairs, the President cautioned that the world had become increasingly uncertain, with shifting power blocs and geopolitical rivalries.
He urged Ghanaian diplomats to be strategic, resilient, and ready to adapt to rapid changes in the international arena.
Touching on values, President Mahama observed that Ghana and many African countries needed to draw lessons from nations like Singapore and Japan, which had achieved progress without abandoning their traditional values.
He called for a mindset reset in Ghana, saying discipline, honesty, and responsible citizenship must be revived, particularly among the younger generation.
The President outlined the eight focus areas for the KPIs, including economic diplomacy, consular services, diaspora engagement, financial management, and ethical compliance.
He mentioned that these would mark a new era where Ghana’s foreign service would be transparent, accountable, and results-driven.
Chairing the ceremony, the Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, congratulated the envoys on their appointments, reminding them that they carried Ghana’s brand of integrity, dignity, and rich cultural identity.
He emphasized that their mission was to build bridges, engage the diaspora, and promote trade and investment in line with government’s transformation agenda.
The Ga Mantse welcomed the introduction of the KPIs, describing it as a shift from ceremonial diplomacy to a results-oriented global approach.
He urged the envoys to reflect Ghana’s values of respect, hospitality, and discipline while being sensitive to the cultures of their host nations.
He called for greater emphasis on cultural diplomacy, reciprocal visa arrangements, efficient support for Ghanaian students abroad, and increased efforts to boost intra-African trade.
The Ga Mantse stressed that Ghana’s diplomacy must deliver tangible benefits including jobs for the youth, markets for farmers, technology for innovators, dignity for citizens abroad, and prosperity for all.
The 2025 Conference of Heads of Mission runs from September 1 to September 5, 2025, in Accra.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
