Akufo-Addo alarmed over turf war in Ghana’s missions

The president, Nana Akufo-Addo is alarmed at what he says is the complete breakdown in relations between some heads of Ghana missions abroad and their foreign office staff.

According to him, he has received countless reports of a creeping turf war between these heads of missions and their staff which is greatly undermining smooth running of the embassies.

He was speaking to the ambassadors and high commissioners who are in the country for a three-day conference on how to deepen Ghana’s foreign policy abroad.

Addressing the High Commissioners, the president condemned the development which he said was completely at variance with the counsel he gave them when he swore them in.

“At your respective swearing-in ceremonies, I urged you, especially with political appointees to strive to develop cordial working relations with the professional foreign staff you will find at your duty post, for one simple obvious reason. They have invaluable experience and an in-depth knowledge that will help you discharge your duties effectively.

“It has, however, come to my attention that in some of the missions the exact opposite of my appeal is being adhered to.

“There are several reports of petty squabbles, turf wars, outright confrontations and a complete breakdown in relations between some heads of missions and their respective foreign staff offices,” the president said.

Presidential correspondent Elton John Brobbey who was present at the meeting said the president did not mention the ambassadors involved.

He, however, has demanded investigations into such squabbles and sanctions applied where necessary.

The Ambassadors also have their own requests which they tabled before the president.

Spokesperson of the Ambassadors Ayikwei Otoo appealed to the president to, as a matter of government policy, consider removing duties on at least one vehicle heads of missions import into the country.

They would also love for the president to increase from two to three the number of dependents heads of missions can take along to their missions.

Source: Myjoyonline.com