Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang held a high-level working engagement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning to review the nation’s diplomatic progress and align strategies for advancing Ghana’s global standing. Accompanied by the sector minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, as well as various bureau directors and staff, the Vice President assessed a range of administrative reforms and international achievements aimed at strengthening the country’s foreign policy objectives.
During the session, the Ministry reported significant milestones in consular services, most notably the transition to chip-embedded passports and a drastic reduction in both costs and processing times. According to the sector minister, passport fees have been slashed by 30 percent while processing duration has been narrowed to 15 days, supported by the expansion of application centers to every region in the country. Additionally, the Ministry is finalizing an e-visa policy and expanding visa waiver agreements to ease international travel for Ghanaian citizens.
On the international stage, the Ministry highlighted Ghana’s leadership in securing a historic United Nations resolution that designates the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity. The engagement also touched on the growing influence of the nation within multilateral organizations, noting that ECOWAS has formally endorsed President John Dramani Mahama as the candidate for the African Union Chairmanship in 2027. To bolster economic diplomacy, the Ministry has introduced new Key Performance Indicators for ambassadors, specifically tying their tenure to measurable trade and investment outcomes.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang commended the Ministry for its high level of female representation and its commitment to staff welfare, including improved conditions of service and transport support for junior officers. She emphasized that the Foreign Service carries a unique responsibility to protect Ghana’s image and urged the leadership to remain focused on citizen-centered initiatives. Closing the engagement, the Vice President reiterated the government’s support for continued innovation and professionalism, noting that the Ministry’s efforts in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area and economic diplomacy are vital to the ongoing effort of resetting the nation’s developmental trajectory.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
