By Hannah Dadzie
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has inaugurated the first Governing Council of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI). The Institute was established in 2023 to provide professional training for Ghana’s diplomats and public officials.
“The Foreign Service Institute was conceived to serve as Ghana’s principal institution for diplomatic training, applied research, and policy innovation. We must prepare a new generation of highly skilled, intellectually grounded agents to pursue our foreign interests at home and abroad.” He said
Mr Ablakwa outlined an ambitious vision for the institute, aiming to transform it into a center of excellence for diplomatic training and research on the African continent.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, on Friday, May 9, 2025, Mr. Ablakwa emphasized the critical need for highly skilled diplomatic agents in an increasingly interconnected and complex global landscape. He indicated the FSI’s core mandate is to bridge the gap between academic theory and diplomatic practice, extending its training beyond Foreign Service Officers to include senior civil servants, media professionals, and diplomats from the region and beyond.
“Your leadership will be key to positioning the FSI as a thought leader and practical training hub for Africa’s diplomatic future,” he noted.
The Minister articulated a vision for the FSI to become a hub where African diplomats, academics, and policymakers can converge to address pressing issues from an Afrocentric perspective. He also revealed plans to seek autonomous or semi-autonomous status for the institute to enhance its operational flexibility and attract sustainable funding. He highlighted the FSI’s early achievements, including high-level policy dialogues on topics like Artificial Intelligence and Diplomacy, Regional Integration, and Geopolitical Competition in Africa, featuring esteemed speakers such as Professor Abdoulaye Bathily.
The institute has also conducted orientation programs for new Foreign Service Officers and pre-posting briefings. Plans are underway to introduce intensive language training in Spanish, French, and Chinese. A significant milestone was Ghana, securing the hosting rights for the 2027 edition of the International Forum on Diplomatic Training (IFDT), through the FSI, a prestigious global event.
The Foreign Affairs Minister envisions the FSI evolving into a leading African think tank, developing African-led diplomatic literature and fostering innovative ideas for the continent’s global positioning.
The first Governing Council of the FSI is chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The oher members are Ambassador Ramses J. Cleland, Ambassador. Philibert I.K.A Johnson, Ambassador Jane Gasu, Amb. Muhammed Adam, Ambassador. Grant Ntrakwa, Ambassador. Agnes Aggrey Orleans, Mr. Fred Amissah, Mr. Kofi Sarfo Akyea, Mr, Clarence Amoatey, Madam Gina Apenteng, Mr Sabastian Deh, and Mr Kwame Gakpey.
Addressing the newly appointed Governing Council members, Mr Ablakwa expressed confidence in their expertise and commitment. He charged the Council with guiding the institute’s direction, defining academic and research priorities, and fostering institutional partnerships. Key areas of focus for the Council include curriculum development in modern diplomacy, policy-driven research, technological integration, and promoting diversity and inclusion.
Mr Ablakwa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the FSI, ensuring the necessary resources are in place for it to achieve its vision. He underscored that the effectiveness of Ghana’s diplomacy is anchored in the caliber of its professionals, with the FSI serving as the “crucible” for nurturing diplomatic excellence.
The Minister called on all stakeholders to support the vision of a responsive, innovative, and professional Foreign Service that projects Africa’s voice and interests on the global stage.
