The Foreign Affairs Minister nominee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has questioned the relevance of Ghana’s embassies abroad if they cannot be effectively utilised to assist Ghanaian citizens in foreign countries.

He made these remarks on Friday, 31st January when he appeared before the Appointments Committee for his vetting.

Mr Ablakwa emphasised the need for embassies to play a more active role in protecting and supporting Ghanaians overseas.

During his submission, Mr Ablakwa expressed concerns over the challenges many Ghanaians face when seeking assistance from their country’s diplomatic missions.

He highlighted issues such as delays in consular services, lack of adequate support for distressed citizens, and the overall inefficiency in responding to the needs of Ghanaians abroad.

“Why do we establish embassies if we cannot use them to help our own people? It is unacceptable that Ghanaians in distress struggle to get the necessary support from our missions,” he remarked.

The nominee stressed the importance of embassies not only serving as diplomatic representations but also as centres of refuge and assistance for Ghanaian citizens.

He underscored the need for proactive engagement by embassy officials in addressing the concerns of Ghanaians abroad, whether in matters of legal assistance, emergency aid, or economic opportunities.

Ablakwa further stated, “We must ensure that our foreign missions are properly resourced and committed to serving Ghanaians effectively.”

Ablakwa assured the committee that, if approved as Minister for Foreign Affairs, he would prioritise strengthening Ghana’s embassies to make them more responsive and citizen-centred by coming up with key performance indicators for the diplomats who lead the embassies.

He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that Ghanaians abroad feel a strong connection to their homeland through efficient and effective diplomatic support.

“We must not allow our embassies to merely exist as symbolic institutions. They must function as true extensions of the Ghanaian government, ready to serve and protect our people wherever they are,” he concluded.