The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that the Ministry spends an estimated $15 million annually on rent for Foreign Service Officers stationed in various countries across the globe.

He described the expenditure as an unsustainable burden on the ministry’s finances, calling for urgent reforms to address the issue in a more strategic and cost-effective manner.

In a bid to curtail this financial strain, the Minister announced plans to begin acquiring at least two properties each year for official use abroad.

According to him, this initiative forms part of a broader strategy to invest in the long-term welfare of Foreign Service Officers while gradually reducing reliance on rented accommodation.

Mr Ablakwa emphasised that ownership of properties will also enhance security and dignity for staff representing Ghana abroad.

However, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the state of maintenance of several government-owned properties overseas.

He lamented the poor upkeep and deterioration of many of these buildings, warning that they pose risks to the health and safety of the occupants.

The Minister stressed the importance of adopting a proactive maintenance culture to preserve the value of state assets and ensure the wellbeing of Ghanaian officers abroad.

Mr Ablakwa also addressed the challenges faced by officers deployed to difficult or high-risk postings. He announced that such personnel would now be reposted after two years instead of the traditional longer tenures.

This, he explained, would help to alleviate the psychological and physical demands associated with working in hardship areas, while improving morale across the Foreign Service.

The Minister made these remarks during a visit to the Ghana High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, as part of his official working tour of Benin, Nigeria, and Togo.

The tour aims to foster stronger relations with Ghanaian missions abroad, engage with citizens, and reinforce the government’s commitment to improving the conditions under which diplomats operate.