President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday received Letters of Credence from five newly appointed envoys to Ghana, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties and advancing Ghana’s global partnerships.
The ceremony, held at the Jubilee House in Accra, saw the formal accreditation of ambassadors from Vietnam, Greece, Jamaica, Tunisia, and Burundi, as they begin their tenure in Ghana. In a strategic diplomatic appeal, President Mahama also used the occasion to signal Ghana’s interest in leading the African Union (AU) when the Chairmanship next becomes available.
Welcoming Mr Bul Quoc Hung, Vietnam’s Ambassador to Ghana, President Mahama acknowledged Vietnam’s economic transformation and expressed optimism about deepening bilateral trade and policy alignment. He highlighted Ghana’s ongoing 24-Hour Economy Policy and governance reset agenda, offering fertile ground for bilateral cooperation.
Mr Bul echoed his country’s readiness to bolster ties, expressing confidence in support from both the government and the people of Ghana.
With Greece’s Ambassador, Mr Athanasios B. Kotsionis, President Mahama praised the longstanding relationship between the two nations but acknowledged the low volume of trade. He encouraged efforts to scale up economic engagements and applauded the Tsakos Foundation’s role in strengthening cultural and educational bonds through initiatives such as the Greek School in Tema.
In welcoming Mr Lincoln G. Downer, the new Jamaican High Commissioner with concurrent accreditation to Nigeria, President Mahama lamented the absence of embassies in each other’s capitals despite deep historical ties. He urged swift action to rectify this, especially in light of shared legacies and the mutual interest shown during initiatives like the Year of Return and Beyond the Return.
Mr Downer conveyed his government’s enthusiasm for increased collaboration, particularly in trade, logistics, ICT, and financial services. He emphasized Jamaica’s vibrant investment environment, referencing the country’s globally acclaimed stock exchange and an existing MOU with the Ghana Stock Exchange.
In his interactions with Mr Antit Mohsen of Tunisia and Mr Edouard Nduwimana of Burundi, President Mahama turned attention to continental leadership, stating Ghana’s intent to vie for the AU Chairmanship. Noting that the next chair should be from West Africa, Mahama solicited support from both countries, highlighting Ghana’s current position as Second Vice-Chair of the AU.
The two African envoys were also welcomed with promises of continued solidarity and cooperation within the African bloc.
