Barbara Kumah
The High Commissioner designate to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, says under his tenure, the relationship between Ghana and South Africa will be strengthened to promote development and drive economic growth. He says he aims to make a strong case for tourism growth in both countries.
Mr. Quashie, the current chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) council of elders in South Africa, is part of a batch of fifteen (15) emissaries, nominated by President John Dramani Mahama as Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and Consul-General designates.
Benjamin Quashie, also the founder and president of the BKQ Foundation, is widely known for his philanthropic work both in and outside of the country. He played a crucial role in ramping massive diaspora support for President John Mahama and the NDC in the lead up to the December 2024 general elections.
A prominent figure in the NDC, Mr. Quashie, is a key advocate for diaspora involvement in national development and has achieved a considerable feet in that direction.
EDUCATION
Benjamin Quashie holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Robert Kennedy College, University of Cumbria and a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) from Harvard Business School, MA, Boston, in the United States of America (USA).
He equally holds various certificates in Public Policy Advancement, Business, International Relations and the Political Economy, an in Real Estate Economics and Finance, from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the United Kingdom.
He was also a Senior Fellow at the African Youth Chamber, where he took on key responsibilities including facilitating collaborations between governments, NGOs, private sector entities, and international organizations to drive youth development initiatives and also advocating for youth-focused policies at national and regional levels, ensuring the voices of young people are represented in decision-making processes, among others.
WORK
Benjamin Quashie is a business mogul with a conglomerate of companies both in and outside Ghana. He is the founder and president of BKQ Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to helping people especially the needy. He also worked as the Executive Director of the Commonwealth Youth Chamber, where he represented the interests of young people across the 56 Commonwealth nations, advocating for policies that promote youth development, education, and economic empowerment.
He also launched a flagship entrepreneurship programme that has supported over 500 young entrepreneurs in starting and scaling their businesses, among several other achievements the area of business and national development.
POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTS
Mr Quashie has been a long standing member of the National Democratic Party (NDC) who until his nomination as High Commissioner designate to South Africa, served as a Member of the National Finance Committee of the NDC, member of the Volta Regional Communication Committee and regional Finance Committee of NDC.
He also supported constituencies with logistics for the 2024 election campaign: Kpando Constituency, Weija-Gbawe constituency, New Edubiase constituency, Ablekuma North constituency and Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency.
GHANA, SOUTH AFRICA BILATERAL RELATIONS
According to the High Commissioner designate, relationship between Ghana and South Africa is one of a strong cooperation that is characterized by diplomatic and economic ties.
He says the two countries are key players at the African Union (AU) level and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), opening up trading possibilities to Ghanaians to South Africa and vice versa on a person-to-person level.
Benjamin Quashie says he will serve as chief advocate for Ghana’s tourism potential to both South African Investors and other Investors with business interests in South Africa. He adds that, he will ensure an easy access to Consul services for Ghanaian citizens in South Africa as and when they need it without having to go through the kind of struggle and exploitation they have been subjected to in the very recent past.
Mr. Quashie also promised to work, to increase the representation of Ghanaian professionals in the Eastern Cape and other areas, and promised a proactive outreach and better communication from the High Commission. His commitment to ensuring responsiveness and community engagement at the diplomatic mission aligns with ongoing calls from Ghanaians abroad for more accessible and service-oriented representation.
Mr. Quashie is committed to championing the interests of Ghanaians in South Africa, calling for continued law-abiding behaviour among the diaspora while assuring that the incoming High Commissioner would prioritize unity, protection, and effective service delivery for the Ghanaian population in South Africa.
The distinguished statesman, brings many years of experience in foreign affairs to his new role as High Commissioner to South Africa.
