Three Ambassadors and two High Commissioners yesterday presented their Letters of Credence to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House in Accra, marking the start of their diplomatic duties in Ghana.  

The envoys included the Ambassador of Portugal to Ghana, Maria Da Conceicao De Sousa Pilar; the High Commissioner of the Seychelles, Conrad Vincent Mederic, and the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Citizen Jesús Albert Garcia.

The rest are the Ambassador of Chad, Gonfouli Souariba, and the High Commissioner of Gabon, Maximin Mangoualamangoye. 

Commitment

President Mahama welcomed the diplomats and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with their respective countries.

President John Mahama accepting the credentials of Maria Da Conceicao De Souse Pilar, Ambassador of Portugal

He emphasised the importance of cooperation in trade, investment, education and regional security, urging the envoys to explore new areas of collaboration for mutual benefits.  
Partnership

The President told the Portuguese Ambassador that the government was open to partnering Portugal’s national airline in establishing Ghana’s new national carrier.

He also expressed concern over the growing threat of violent extremism spreading from the Sahel region, and commended the EU for its ongoing support to address the crisis.

President John Mahama sharing  a toast with Gonfouli Souariba, Ambassador of the Republic of Chad

President Mahama said Ghana’s envoy to the Sahelian region was playing a key role in mending strained relations between the three Sahel nations that had pulled out of ECOWAS.

The Portuguese Ambassador praised Ghana’s role in spearheading initiatives such as the Accra Initiative, which she said had played a key role in stabilising parts of the continent in the face of growing security threats.

Collaboration

In his conversation with the High Commissioner of Seychelles, President Mahama said Ghana and the Seychelles could collaborate in the areas of blue economy, maritime security and tourism.

Citizen Jesu?s Albert Garcia, Ambassador  of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, signing the Credentials Register 

The Seychelles Ambassador shared concerns about illegal fishing and piracy Ghana was experiencing in its waters and stressed the need for joint maritime efforts between Ghana and the Seychelles.

Deepening of ties

The rest of the diplomats, in turn, expressed their readiness to deepen collaboration between Ghana and their respective countries.

Maximin Mangoualamangoye, High Commissioner of the Republic of Gabon

They commended Ghana’s democratic stability and its role in promoting peace and development in West Africa.  

The ceremony, held in accordance with diplomatic protocols, was attended by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, and the Presidential Aide, Joyce Bawah Mogtari.

The new envoys are expected to engage with key stakeholders in Ghana’s political and business sectors to enhance partnerships during their tenure.