President John Dramani Mahama has announced new performance benchmarks for Ghana’s ambassadors and envoys, aimed at linking diplomacy to measurable outcomes under the government’s Reset Agenda.

At the Ambassadors’ Conference in Accra on Monday [September 1, 2025], which also served as an orientation for new envoys, the President said missions abroad would now be assessed based on the scale of investments, trade, and opportunities secured for Ghanaians rather than protocol and ceremony.

“For too long, success in diplomacy was measured by the pomp and ceremony. Today, that has changed. This conference marks the launch of key performance indicators for heads of mission,” he said.

Mr Mahama explained that the KPIs would track eight areas, but listed five during his remarks. These are economic diplomacy, consular services, diaspora engagements, financial management, and security and ethical compliance.

“Your success is going to be measured not by ceremonial protocol, but by the scale of investment, trade, and opportunities you help secure for the people of Ghana,” he told the envoys.

He said the Reset Agenda was introduced to restore hope, rebuild trust, and rekindle prosperity after the economic crisis and loss of public confidence in governance.

Its focus, he noted, is the creation of dignified and sustainable jobs through initiatives such as the 24-hour economy, the Women’s Development Bank, the Agri-Reset Programme, and youth apprenticeship schemes. The success of these initiatives, he added, will depend on the partnerships Ghana’s envoys cultivate abroad.

“The agreements you secure in Brussels, Beijing, or Washington will reverberate in Tamale, Kumasi, Ho, and Accra. For this reason, economic diplomacy is now the cornerstone of Ghana’s foreign policy,” Mr Mahama stated.

The President urged envoys to promote investment in industrialisation, renewable energy, digital services, agro-processing, infrastructure, and tourism, while also expanding markets for processed cocoa, shea butter, textiles, crafts, and digital services.

Mr Mahama further reminded the envoys that Ghana’s diplomacy must stand on Pan-Africanism, climate diplomacy, and support for the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.