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Prez Mahama launches KPIs for envoys at foreign affairs ministry ambassadors conference
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 Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, has praised engineers and technical teams working to restore electricity after a fire at the Akosombo Substation disrupted power supply.
He said this after visiting the facility on Monday night to assess ongoing repair works following the incident, which affected the control room and caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts of power to the national grid.
During the visit, he interacted with engineers and technicians who have been working continuously under difficult conditions to restore operations.
He said he was impressed by their dedication, courage, and professionalism despite the challenges.
The minister commended the teams for their resilience and sacrifice, noting that their efforts reflect a strong sense of duty and commitment to national service.
He assured them of the government’s full support as they continue with the restoration work.
He also assured the public that authorities are doing everything possible to restore stable electricity supply as soon as possible.
By: Jacob Aggrey
