By Hannah Dadzie
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has inaugurated the reconstituted Ministerial Advisory Board of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pledging a new era of inclusive, strategic, and development-oriented diplomacy for Ghana.
The inauguration, held on Friday, May 9, follows the expiration of the previous board’s mandate in December 2024. It is in line with Section 39(1) of the Civil Service Act, 1993 (PNDCL 327), which mandates the periodic renewal of ministerial boards to enhance governance and stakeholder engagement.
In his address, Mr. Ablakwa underscored the growing complexity of Ghana’s foreign engagements and the urgent need for evidence-based, economically grounded foreign policy.
“The Ministry’s responsibilities are becoming increasingly multifaceted, demanding insightful policy direction, proactive engagement, and institutional adaptability,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
The new board comprises distinguished professionals from diplomacy, academia, security, civil society, and public administration. Their task, the Minister emphasised, is to provide critical guidance to steer the Ministry’s reforms and strategic initiatives.
Since assuming office, the Foreign Affairs Minister has introduced significant reforms, including the establishment of the Passport Reforms Committee and the Committee on Migration and the Welfare of Ghanaians Abroad. These bodies aim to improve service delivery and strengthen diaspora relations.
He also highlighted the commercial roll-out of chip-embedded biometric passports and Ghana’s progress in digitalising passport services, including a Mobile Passport Application Centre for Hajj pilgrims. He further noted the Ministry’s success in securing key diplomatic appointments for Ghanaian professionals at the African Union. Ghana’s regional leadership was further affirmed with the recent hosting of the ECOWAS@50 celebrations, a major milestone in West African integration efforts.
Mr. Ablakwa said the Ministry is developing a Comprehensive Foreign Policy Framework and an Economic Diplomacy Blueprint to better align foreign policy with global trends such as climate change, technology, security, and migration. These efforts aim to reposition Ghana’s diplomatic missions as engines for trade, investment, and innovation. He also announced Cabinet’s approval of the Ministry’s four-year STRIDE Initiative—a strategic transition from renting to infrastructure development for Ghana’s missions abroad.
“This policy underscores our commitment to prudent fiscal management and dignified representation of Ghana’s interests globally,” he noted.
Other ongoing efforts include the establishment of a Delivery Unit to evaluate performance across Ghana’s foreign missions, and the implementation of 1,000 scholarships for African students in line with Ghana’s Pan-African vision and educational diplomacy. Mr. Ablakwa emphasized the critical role of the Advisory Board, assuring members of a transparent and constructive working relationship.
“Your perspectives will provide the Ministry with the foresight and validation required to navigate today’s complex diplomatic terrain,” he noted.
The new Advisory Board is chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; Minister of Defence, Edward Omane Boamah; Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson; Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare; Ambassador Ramses J. Cleland; and CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Simon Madjie.
Other members are Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, Ambassador Aggrey-Orleans, Ambassador Chris Kpodo, Rev. Helen Adjoa Ntoso, Queenster Maame Pokua Sawyer, and Ambassador Philibert I. K. A. Johnson.
The newly inaugurated board is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s international relations agenda in the years ahead.
