International Relations expert, Dr. Ishmael Hlovor, has thrown his support behind the government’s new policy to acquire state-owned diplomatic properties rather than continue renting abroad.
Speaking on the expenses associated with rental properties, he explained that “if you are paying rental every year, the rental is no way less expensive than building.”
In an interview with ABC News GH, Dr. Hlovor emphasized that purchasing properties would not only be financially prudent in the long run but would also strengthen Ghana’s international standing.
The expert noted that a move away from renting would protect the country’s image and ensure that diplomatic missions project stability and permanence in host countries.
The call aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s recently announced Strategic Transition from Rental to Development of Properties (STRIDE), which aims to curb the nation’s unsustainable annual expenditure of over $15 million on rental properties.
Approved by Cabinet, the initiative is a central part of Mahama’s Reset Agenda for foreign policy, reflecting a strategic push towards efficiency and long-term investment in Ghana’s international presence.
