Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang paid a working visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging staff to deepen their role in advancing Ghana’s global interests and economic diplomacy.
The visit, held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, forms part of a broader initiative to strengthen engagement between the Presidency and key public institutions.
Addressing management and staff, the Vice President commended the Ministry for its professionalism, innovation, and dedication to promoting Ghana’s image on the international stage.
She particularly highlighted the Ministry’s leadership in mobilising global support for the United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity.
She encouraged staff to sustain high standards of service and remain focused on the Ministry’s mandate, stressing the importance of excellence in diplomacy.
On economic diplomacy, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang pointed to opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), urging the Ministry to leverage its international partnerships to drive trade and investment for Ghana’s economic transformation.
She also acknowledged improvements in staff welfare, noting that strong institutions are built not only on performance but also on the wellbeing of their personnel.
She reaffirmed the Presidency’s commitment to maintaining open and accessible engagement with public institutions.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, described the visit as historic, noting that it marks the first time Ghana’s first female Vice President has undertaken such an interactive engagement with the Ministry.
He expressed appreciation for her continued support and outlined key achievements, including the adoption of a major UN resolution, reforms in passport administration such as the introduction of chip-embedded passports, reduced processing fees, a one-day emergency passport service, and the establishment of passport application centres in all 16 regions.
He further disclosed progress in securing visa waiver agreements and announced plans for the introduction of a free visa policy for Africans, expected to take effect in May 2026.
Touching on staff welfare, the Minister said the Ministry has implemented improved conditions of service, enhanced allowances, transportation support for junior staff, and new policies to assist foreign service officers returning to Ghana.
Chief Director of the Ministry, Khadija Iddrisu, welcomed the Vice President and assured her of the staff’s commitment to delivering on the Ministry’s mandate.
The visit underscores renewed efforts to strengthen institutional performance and align Ghana’s foreign policy objectives with national development priorities.
