Ambassador Dr. William Brandful, Former Ambassador to Japan & Singapore
Ghana’s former Ambassador to Japan and Singapore, Dr. William Brandful has made calls on government to prune the number of Ghana’s diplomatic missions across the globe. Ambassador Brandful made this call while speaking on the subject “Overview of Diplomacy, International & Diplomatic Relations” at the opening session for Delegates of the second cohort of the Young Diplomats of Ghana (YDG) initiative over the weekend.
Ghana’s Missions Abroad
Ghana currently operates about 60 diplomatic missions around the world including 22 in Africa, 13 in the Middle East & Asia and 11 in Europe. Ghana also runs 4 missions in America in addition to 5 multi- lateral and 5 consular posts.
Finances
According to Ambassador Brandful, the operation of 60 missions by the country is excessive and unsustainable considering the financial resources required for the effective functioning and administration of these missions.
The financial figures obtained for the year 2008 indicates that Ghana’s foreign missions required an amount of about GHC 170 million to function at the optimum level. However, only GHC 68 million was approved and provided to the missions for their operations. The case was not different in the year 2009, where GHC 72 million was provided for the missions while about GHC 260 million was needed for their efficient and effective administration.
The former Ambassador’s assertion seems to be validated by media reports on the Sector Minister, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway’s claim that her ministry is the most cash trapped ministry in Ghana following the decision of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta to slash her ministry’s Internally Generated Fund (IGF) for its operations; a move she warns will be inimical to the effective running of the Ministry.
Support for MFA
Ambassador Brandful called for the maximum support of government and other stakeholders for the Foreign Affairs Ministry to enable it play it’s required role in managing the healthy growing foreign interest, enforcing national protocol standards, assuming a more assertive role in the inter- coordination of the activities of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) relating to foreign affairs, and establishing a greater collaboration between serving and retired Foreign Service Officers (FSO’s)
Non – Career Elements
He further expressed concerns about the issue of non-career elements being infused into Ghana’s Diplomatic Service and called for restraint in the trend as that could hinder the effective functioning of the service.
Other Speakers/Facilitators
Also present at the session were Dr. Anthony Palmer and Mr. Maurice Jackson both diplomats with the United States Embassy in Ghana who shared their work experiences and insights on the work of a diplomat with the Delegates. An Economic Analyst with the UNDP, Ms. Sylvia Sefakor Senu took time to take the delegates through the ideals and purpose of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs) as the Delegates will serve as Ambassadors of the Goals within the next 6 months.
Young Diplomats of Ghana (YDG).
YDG is a non-governmental and non-profit network that seeks to advance the development of a new generation of aspiring leaders and diplomats in Ghana, and to build their advocacy experience.
Through training, policy campaigns and research, selected delegates and members are exposed to a network of resources and opportunities to build, nurture and harness their skills and potentials, to contribute to national discourses as young global leaders and diplomats and also work as Ambassadors of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Story By: Dzorlali Kwasi Agbanu, YDG Delegate
kdzorla@gmail.com
