Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate, has pledged to leverage foreign policy as a key strategy to address Ghana’s unemployment crisis.
Speaking before the Parliament Appointment Committee during his vetting, Ablakwa outlined his vision for a results-driven foreign policy that prioritizes economic growth and job creation.
“We will be very deliberate and aggressive with it. The country must benefit,” he assured the committee.
Ablakwa emphasized that Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad must shift from their traditional roles and actively contribute to economic growth.
He proposed a radical change in how ambassadors and high commissioners operate, making them directly accountable for securing investments.
“When we send you as an ambassador, it’s not just for attending events. You must bring us something home that will impact the lives of the people. How many investors are you bringing in? How much Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) are you attracting? They will be given clear KPIs,” he declared.
To ensure accountability, Ablakwa revealed plans to introduce performance-based assessments for Ghanaian diplomats abroad.
“Clear KPIs—you must bring something home. If within one year we are not seeing any benefits, you will be reshuffled. We need ambassadors who are dynamic and proactive in our national interest,” he stated.
‘Almost a Billion Spent – What Do They Bring In?’
In a bold critique of Ghana’s foreign service spending, Ablakwa revealed that the country spent over GHC 875 million on foreign staff alone in the last budget.
“That is almost a billion, then you ask yourself: these 71 missions out there, what do they bring in?” he questioned.
He lamented the perception that the Foreign Affairs Ministry is “too abstract” and vowed to change that by ensuring that diplomatic missions deliver tangible economic results.
Passport System Overhaul and Foreign Service Reforms
Beyond economic diplomacy, Ablakwa pledged sweeping reforms in the passport system, acknowledging widespread complaints and inefficiencies.
“I want to use technology to reform the passport system. We are moving from the current biometric system to chip-embedded passports. Modernizing the whole regime will be a matter of importance to me,” he stated.
He also called for a revamp of the foreign affairs institute, introducing a new department focused on performance and delivery.
